U.S. begins transporting French troops, equipment to Mali

January 22, 2013 by legitgov

U.S. begins transporting French troops, equipment to Mali --U.S. also working with France on intelligence issues, possibly using surveillance drones 22 Jan 2013 The United States has started transporting French soldiers and equipment to Mali as part of its logistical aid to French forces fighting 'Islamist militants' in the north of the country, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. "We have started air lifting French army personnel and equipment to Bamako from Istres," said Benjamin Benson, a spokesman for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). A Reuters camera crew on Tuesday saw a U.S.-flagged military transport aircraft taking off from the Istres air base in southern France. Benson said the U.S. flights had started on Monday, but declined to give details on the number of planes being used.