US military 
aircraft, including Air Force C-130s and C-17s, have transported more than four million pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies to Pakistan since July 31 in supporting flood relief efforts there, Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, the top US defense representative in Pakistan, said Wednesday. They have also rescued more than 12,800 people from the nation’s flood-ravaged areas, he told reporters during a briefing in the Pentagon. Making a difference in the flow of relief supplies throughout the country has been the presence of a 36-member team from the 621st Contingency Response Wing at JB McGuire, N.J. Operating at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, these airmen have at least doubled the number of supply-laden aircraft that can be handled there each day, according to Air Forces Central officials. (Chaklala report by SSgt. Kali Gradishar) (See also Scott report by MSgt. Scott T. Sturkol)
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…