Fierce fighting occurs daily in Afghanistan, consequently several nations have deployed attack aircraft to support ground troops. This RAF Harrier GR7A is shown just prior to departing on a mission from Kandahar loaded with a 1,000lb dumb bomb. This aircraft has obviously seen a lot of action judging by the mission marks on the nose.

Rockwell B-1B Lancers operate from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as pictured here, and provide close air support in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

France has deployed three Rafales and three Mirage 2000Ds to Kandahar in Afghanistan to assist NATO and US forces in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

C-130 эксплуатируются по всему миру. Многие из них уже сменили двух и даже трех владельцев. На снимке: самолет C-130H воссозданных ВВС Ирака, который ранее состоял на вооружении ВВС США.
America is helping to rebuild the Iraqi Air Force, and train it to use its new assets to assist in the campaign against insurgents. Pictured is an Iraqi Air Force C-130E Hercules of 23 Squadron at its home base of Al Muthana.

The rugged mountainous terrain of Afghanistan means that battlefield helicopters are in great demand to support ground troops.

According to the author, intelligence, surveillance and targeting aircraft are the most important types in both theatres. An example of such an aircraft is the Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint, which is used for electronic surveillance.