There When it Counts

摘要

In early September, NATO forces operating near the town of Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan came under sudden insurgent attack. On-scene controllers called in USAF A-10 Warthogs—and Royal Air Force GR-9 Harriers. The Harriers dropped general-purpose and precision guided bombs on a building used as a mortar firing position. Another Harrier bombed enemy fighters in a nearby town, then launched rockets against enemy forces hiding in a tree line. In the wake of these RAF strikes, the insurgent attacks ceased.rnRead any daily operational summary of airpower in Afghanistan or Iraq and chances are Britain's RAF rates at least a mention. American airmen have no closer allies than those in the Royal Air Force. "Fast jets," as their RAF pilots call them, conduct the full range of operations from shows of force to weapons employment to support of ground forces.