| Pentagon orders combat aircraft to Gulf |
American fighter planes and bombers were tonight being sent to the Gulf in the first indication of imminent action against Afghanistan.
F15 and F16 fighters - among the most advanced in the world - and B52 bombers, which can carry cruise missiles, were ordered to the region by the Pentagon as part of what is now being called Operation Infinite Justice.
The first of the aircraft will move tomorrow, to arrive at the bases in Saudi Arabia operated by the American air force since the Gulf War.
The move puts them within striking distance of Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime offers shelter to Osama bin laden, the suspected mastermind behind the attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centre.
The planes will be supported by back-up aircraft including AWACS reconnaissance planes and tankers to keep them in the air.
They will join an already formidable force in the Indian Ocean, where two aircraft carriers with a total of 150 navy aircraft are deployed.
No troops are believed to have been mobilised along with the aircraft, although last week the National Guard was mobilised and 35,000 reservists called up.
The carriers may be joined by the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier which is one of the biggest in the world, and which has departed Virginia for the Mediterranean.
Once in the Mediterranean, it will only need to steam through the Suez Canal to put its squadron within striking distance of Afghan territory.
Story filed: 20:15 Wednesday 19th September 2001
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