Two USAF A-10s “regrettably engaged friendly forces during a strafing run” early Monday morning in Afghanistan, killing one Canadian soldier and wounding several others, according to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. The A-10s were participating in Operation Medusa, aiding ISAF ground troops that had called for close air support while fighting Taliban insurgents in the Kandahar province. The ISAF commander, British Lt. Gen. David Richards, said in a statement: “It is particularly distressing to us all when, despite the care and precautions that are always applied, a tragedy like this happens.” He also emphasized that “through hundreds and hundreds of missions” aircrews have “saved our troops on the ground.” NATO took charge of operations in southern Afghanistan on July 31.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.