Several Canadian Leopard tanks got a ride on the C-17 “Spirit of McChord” transport going into Kandahar AB, Afghanistan from Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. The 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron’s Det. 1 from McChord AFB, Wash., moved the tanks and supporting equipment into Afghanistan for Canadian ground forces supporting the NATO mission. The 30-foot long, 100,000-pound tanks were positioned and secured by C-17 loadmasters before the flight using chains, tie-down mechanisms, and rings on the cargo floor to make sure the tanks and C-17 aircraft were not damaged. NATO plans to buy its own new C-17s in the near future.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
