KC-135 supports French operations in Mali

A French air force Mirage 2000 flies behind a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over Africa Feb. 2, 2013. Tanker crews from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, began conducting refueling missions in support of French operations in Mali from a deployed location in southwest Europe Jan 27. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin M. May/Released)

KC-135 supports French operations in Mali

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crew flies over Africa Feb. 2, 2013, en route to refuel French fighter jets. Tanker crews from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, began conducting refueling missions in support of French operations in Mali from a deployed location in southwest Europe Jan 27. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin M. May/Release)

C-17 supports French operations in Mali

ISTRES, France – A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from Dover Air Force Base, Del., sits on a loading ramp before flight in Istres, France, Jan. 22, 2013. C-17 crews from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and Dover Air Force Base, Del., are here to pilot the C-17 fleets that are being used to transport French supplies, equipment and passengers to Mali. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

C-17 supports French operations in Mali

ISTRES, France – U.S. Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing enter a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft in Istres, France, Jan. 22, 2013. The C-17 can carry up to 170,900 pounds of cargo, and can be configured for a variety of loadouts, including aeromedical evacuation, cargo transportation and passenger movement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

C-17 supports French operations in Mali

A French military vehicle is secured inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft in Istres, France. The United States has agreed to help France airlift troops and equipment into Mali. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon) (Released)

Next stop: Mali

ISTRES, France -- French soldiers load a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III here Jan. 23, 2013, as they prepare to fly to Mali to fight off Islamic extremists that have taken control of a large part of northern Mali. The United States has agreed to help France airlift troops and equipment into Mali. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Richardson) (Released)