United States will provide refueling aircraft to support French Army Operation Serval in Mali 270113

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Defence News - United States

 
 
Sunday, January 27, 2013, 02:58 PM
 
United States will provide refueling aircraft to support French Army Operation Serval in Mali.
The United States will provide aerial refueling for French planes involved in the military mission in Mali, the Defense Department said Saturday, January 26, 2013. In a statement, the Pentagon said outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta informed French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian of the decision in a phone call earlier in the day, saying "U.S. Africa Command will support the French military by conducting aerial refueling missions as operations in Mali continue."
     

The pilot of an F-15E Strike Eagle approaches a KC-135R Stratotanker during a training mission.
     

The two also discussed plans for the United States to transport troops from African nations, including Chad and Togo, to support the international effort in Mali.

The phone call came after U.S. President Barack Obama and his French counterpart Francois Hollande spoke on the phone Friday. The two presidents pledged to expand efforts to counter terrorism in Africa.

The U.S. military has been airlifting French troops and equipment into Mali, where Paris is aiding that country's government to rout rebel forces. The Pentagon previously said its participation in the conflict is limited.