The Japanese Force at the Front: 
An airlift wing from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is working alongside other coalition members in Southwest Asia. The first group of about 200 Japanese airmen deployed to SWA in December 2003, and since then, say US Air Force officials, they have flown more than 325 sorties and hauled some 460 tons of cargo. They fly C-130 airlifters. (Read more here.)
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
