The Japanese parliament on Tuesday passed a measure that would extend the use of Japan Air Defense Force assets to haul cargo and personnel in Iraq, reports Reuters news service. Japanese military air elements have aided coalition operations in Iraq since December 2003, and they have taken over some airlift operations in the Pacific to free USAF airlifters for Southwest Asia duty.
Four of six Airmen who were aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker that crashed in Western Iraq March 12 are confirmed to be dead, U.S. Central Command announced March 13.