U.S. air strikes, surveillance in Afghanistan may continue from afar after drawdown
Rachel S. Cohen
The U.S. military is mulling how to position its aircraft throughout the Middle East and Asia to continue air strikes and intelligence-gathering missions in Afghanistan, as American forces prepare to leave key installations like Bagram Air Base behind, the head of U.S. Central Command said this week.
Appearing before the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday, Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie told lawmakers he is drawing up options for keeping counterterrorism forces on call in the region. Those alternatives are due to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by the end of April.
Manned or unmanned aircraft could play a large role in any remaining presence that could peer into and respond to threats inside Afghanistan, McKenzie said.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/04/23/us-air-strikes-surveillance-in-afghanistan-may-continue-from-afar-after-drawdown/
