8 August 2005

French jets boost ISAF capabilities News 08/08/2005 - ISAF French Mirage jets augment ISAF election support forces 12/07/2005 - NATO Alliance augments air power in Afghanistan Background NATO in Afghanistan The capabilities of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan were further boosted with the arrival of eight aircraft from the French Air Force on 8 August. The deployment consists of six fighters, which will be based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and two tanker aircraft, which will be based in Manas, Kyrgyzstan. This is part of the additional forces that NATO is putting on the ground ahead of the upcoming local and parliamentary elections. Show of support These Election Support Forces will initially focus on deterrence by conducting patrols and quick reaction force operations. However, the forces will also be used to respond to any critical situations in the ISAF area of operations.