It includes ground troops with supporting artillery, amphibious assault vehicles and light armour, plus transport and attack helicopters and perhaps AV-8B Harrier jet fighter-bombers, capable of taking off and landing vertically.

BBC: F/A-18C prepares to launch from the USS Enterprise

The Pentagon deferred on a decision to provide the Afghans with five used C-130 military transport planes and light attack aircraft.

WSJ: Obama to Speed Troop Exit

The chairman of the House Transport Committee, James Oberstar, leads the attack.

FORBES: 'Open Skies' Agreement Favors U.S.