`Over the past few days, we have conducted airstrikes to support Afghan security forces,` Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on July 22 when asked about the airstrike by F/A fighters.
This was the first US airstrike after General Scott Miller stepped down as commander of US military operations in Afghanistan and left this Central Asian country last week, a symbolic move that marked the end of the war.
A US defense official later said the country deployed four airstrikes on July 21 and 22 to support Afghan government troops at the request of forces on the ground.
At least two airstrikes aimed to destroy military equipment, including an artillery gun and a vehicle that the Taliban captured from Afghan government forces.
F/A-18 fighter preparing to take off from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in December 2020.
US officials called on Afghan government forces to use military aircraft and US-trained ground forces to fight the Taliban.
During a press conference on July 21, General Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the future of Afghanistan lies in the hands of the Afghan people, urging them to assert their will on the battlefield.
`Afghan security forces are capable of fighting and defending their country. We will continue to support Afghan security forces when necessary according to the instructions of the President and Secretary of Defense,` General Milley
Milley said the Taliban control about half of the 419 district centers in Afghanistan.
As the Taliban capture more territory, Afghan security forces are consolidating positions to protect key population centers, including the capital Kabul, Gen. Milley said.
Location of Kandahar province of Afghanistan (red).
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that after completing the troop withdrawal process on August 31, the US military’s main focus is to combat threats to the country from extremist groups in Afghanistan.
Austin said the administration of US President Joe Biden will provide financial and other forms of support to the Afghan army, even though there are no soldiers or military aircraft stationed in the country.
The United States deploys many types of military aircraft in the Middle East with a range of operations reaching into Afghanistan, including aircraft carrier air groups and fighters and bombers in the Persian Gulf region.
Olivia