FOUR FIGHTER JETS HEADED TO AFGHANISTAN

FOUR FIGHTER JETS HEADED TO AFGHANISTAN

(ANSA) - Rome, November 2 - Italy is sending four fighter planes to relieve a jet squadron flying reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan, the Air Force confirmed Monday.

The AMX planes are scheduled to leave Wednesday for Herat province in western Afghanistan, where most of Italy's forces in the country are stationed.

Two Tornado jets will return to Italy as part of the rotation.

Aside from some 400 troops Italy deployed for the recent Afghan elections, it maintains a contingent of some 2,800 troops in Afghanistan, the fifth-largest in the NATO-led ISAF mission.