US military forces reduce involvement in the Gulf

US forces, especially the air force, have reduced their operations in the Gulf significantly, said Air Force Lieutenant General Walter Buchanan.

But the officials did not give a timeframe for a complete withdrawal.

"Our involvement in this region is condition-based and for specific security needs. We are here, engaged in a mission with our coalition partners to fight terrorism and insurgency," he said at the Dubai Air Show yesterday.

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"We see terrorism as a common enemy. Our relationship with our partners in the region is very strong. However, we do not have any time frame for the disengagement," he added.

Buchanan said the US Air Force was engaged in the lower Gulf in a non-combat operation. "We have a close relationship with our partners here in the Gulf. Our pilots are mostly engaged in training program-mes."

"Our pilots fly with the UAE pilots together, conducting exercises as we see tremendous opportunities in tactical development.

"Our pilots are working with the UAE Air Force on F16/Block 60 advanced aircraft very closely to upgrade their network capabilities and optimise the efficiency of the aircraft."

He said the use of unmanned aerial vehicles will grow in this region. "UAVs are here to stay, but they will not replace combat aircraft."

He also described the US Air Force's support for the earthquake victims in Pakistan and defended the forces on collateral damage in recent action in Iraq.