US Central Command Air Forces leader, Lt. Gen. Gary North, traveled to Afghanistan last week, visiting with airmen at various locations, including those serving in unconventional roles on Provincial Reconstruction Teams. On his stopover at the Mehtar Lam PRT, one of six PRTs run by the US Air Force in Afghanistan. North praised the airmen’s work, saying they’d be much better for their time in this joint operation when they “go back” to their Air Force jobs. “There’s not a better example of the joint environment than the PRT,” said North.
Control of the skies in Operation Epic Fury is enabling the Pentagon to rely more on satellite- and laser-guided bombs, throttle back on expensive long-range standoff munitions, and move to a new phase of air war, defense officials said on March 4. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.…