Washington should also encourage the already fast-growing use of smaller jet aircraft, which can avoid hubs, taking passengers directly from Point A to Point B faster and at more affordable fares.

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The pilot scrapped the plan to fast-rope and focussed on getting the aircraft down.

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The Navy always brings the best technology as fast as it can to the ships, submarines and aircraft in order to maintain their competitive advantage.

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The official said commanders have assets "not too far away, " including aircraft from the Air Force's base in Aviano, Italy, and a Marine Corps FAST team in Sigonella, Italy.

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The addition to the coalition's armoury this week of American A-10 Thunderbolts and AC-130 gunships, lumbering aircraft equipped with fearsome cannon that can hit targets in built-up areas with less risk than fast jets of killing civilians, could tilt the balance in Misrata and elsewhere.

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