31.   It is not clear how soon the close-in helicopter operations will begin.

32.   It was the first loss of a fixed-wing aircraft since U.S. military operations began in Afghanistan.

33.   It quickly became known as CVS and operations began expanding dramatically.

34.   Joint operations began in February.

35.   Law enforcement officials said the sting operation began after they learned that tellers were laundering money for a Jamaican gang acting as a front for the Gambino crime family.

36.   Military officials said the operation began a few hours after the Muslim holy day came to a close Friday.

37.   Neighbors said he already had left the house when the operation began.

38.   Night operations have begun, an Air Force duty officer confirmed just before midnight.

39.   Officials said they were still investigating the cause of the crash, the first loss of life since search operations began.

40.   On the ground, allied ground forces met some of the fiercest resistance since American military operations began across Afghanistan five months ago.