The French Air Force completed three months of flying support and combat sorties for Operation Enduring Freedom and for the International Security assistance force in Afghanistan on Nov. 4, according to US Central Air Forces officials. The French flew more than 400 sorties, logging nearly 2,000 flying hours: 720 hours in the M-2000 Mirage, 550 hours in the F-1 Mirage, and 680 hours in the C-135 SR tanker. Lt. Col. Marc Bexombes, a French liaison officer at the Southwest Asia combined air operations center, called the effort a “wonderful experience,” one that “fortified the links between the French and US Air Forces.” If only our diplomats could say the same.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
