41.   President Jacques Chirac announced France would send combat aircraft to Afghanistan.

42.   Rakhmonov told Russian television Tuesday that U.S. and French combat aircraft would be allowed to use the airfield.

43.   A Defense Ministry spokesman said the planes were bomber versions of the Tornado combat aircraft.

44.   A defense company worker charged with spying appeared in court Monday on charges of stealing secrets about stealth technology designed to cloak combat aircraft from radar.

45.   A senior Russian diplomat on Thursday accused Pakistan of sending troops and combat aircraft to help the Taliban movement crush its opponents in northern Afghanistan.

46.   A senior Russian diplomat on Thursday accused Pakistan of sending its troops and combat aircraft to help the Taliban movement crush its opponents in northern Afghanistan.

47.   A senior Russian diplomat accused Pakistan on Thursday of sending troops and combat aircraft to help the Taliban crush its opponents in northern Afghanistan.

48.   A single-engined combat aircraft, the Pilatus-Porter, was used.

49.   Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, head of the British armed forces, said British reconnaissance and aerial refueling planes were supporting the strikes by U.S. combat aircraft.

50.   After the raid, combat aircraft flew over the area to try to track down the gunmen, who retreated south, the Roman Catholic radio station Ecclesia said.