Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters during a visit to Air Force and Army units in Washington State that he has ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to help cover operations in Afghanistan, where anti-Afghan government attacks have increased, particularly along the Pakistan border. The Lincoln has been supporting coalition action in Iraq, working from the Persian Gulf and is now to operate from the Gulf of Oman, where it will be closer to Afghanistan. US and NATO commanders in Afghanistan have been asking for more air and ground support.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
