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AMC in action: Deployed tankers, other aircraft supporting Afghanistan elections

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Linch
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  As Afghan voters cast their ballots in their country's second-ever presidential election, the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing provided support from above.

The 380th AEW's KC-10 Extenders, U-2s, RQ-4 Global Hawks and E-3 Sentry aircraft are in the skies of Afghanistan supporting Coalition efforts to counter insurgents trying to disrupt the elections.

"This is an election by Afghani people for the Afghani people," said Brig. Gen. Bryan Benson, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "We are helping to set the conditions for freedom of movement of all Afghani citizens to be able to actively participate."

"This is only the second time in many of these peoples' lives that they have had an opportunity to participate in electing a leader of their choosing and taking an active part in shaping the future of their nation," he added.

With KC-10s refueling aircraft with about 150,000 gallons of fuel every day, U-2s and Global Hawks providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the frontlines and the E-3 Sentry providing air battle management, the 380th AEW is fully engaged in enabling the CFACC's air effort, General Benson noted.

"The Soldier, Sailors, Marines and Airmen on the frontlines are all in, and so are the men and women of the 380th AEW," General Benson said. "Our motto, 'one team one fight,' says it all."