However, it decided to acquire 12 new Growlers instead to avoid taking any of the existing Super Hornets out of action, and "to assure Australia's air combat capability during the transition period to the Joint Strike Fighter".

BBC: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard

And, of course, we still have the joint project to bring stability and transition to Afghan governance.

WHITEHOUSE: Remarks by President Obama and President Sarkozy of France

U.S. forces are also conducting far fewer joint patrols with Afghan troops ahead of the 2014 transition, so there are fewer opportunities for the two to interact.

NPR: Insider Attack Kills 2 US Troops, 2 Afghans