He said the U.S. is still considering a French request for U.S. aerial refueling support.

NPR: US Begins Transporting French Troops To Mali

Where does long-range aerial refueling come into the strategic requirements of what is, primarily, a deterrence force?

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: EADS_Subsidies

Washington has not decided whether to grant French requests for surveillance and aerial refueling services, the official said.

CNN: France continues Mali airstrikes; residents frantic

The United States has also stepped up its involvement in the conflict by conducting aerial refueling missions on top of the intelligence and airlift support.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The United States has also stepped up its involvement in the conflict by conducting aerial refueling missions on top of the intelligence and airlift support it was already providing.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Earlier this year, President Obama promised his French counterpart, Nicholas Sarkozy, that EADS would be allowed to compete for the long-overdue replacement of U.S. aerial refueling aircraft initially bought during the Eisenhower administration.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Disastrously 'transforming' defense

In theory, the Air Force has many hundreds of tactical aircraft like the F-15E fighter-bomber that might be used to prosecute an air campaign in the Western Pacific, but those planes have limited ranges and thus would be heavily dependent on aerial refueling.

FORBES: Air Force Wants A Bomber That Balances Cost With Capability

Tomorrow, the Boeing Company reportedly will be briefed by the U.S. Air Force about that service's controversial rejection of the American firm's aerial refueling aircraft proposal in favor of that offered by a joint venture dominated by the European Aeronautic, Defense, and Space (EADS) consortium.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center reissues analysis of EADS contracts