Four Belgian F-16 fighter jets were being deployed to Afghanistan on Wednesday to bolster security ahead of the planned September legislative elections. The four fighters, from the second tactical wing force based at Florennes, was to be accompanied by 165 personnel and was to participate in Operation Eastern Eagle with Dutch air and land forces, responsible for the security of the airport in Kabul. It will be the first time that Belgian F-16s are deployed to Afghanistan as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force mission there. A joint Dutch-Belgian detachment has been based at the airport for nearly a year, including 350 Belgian troops. NATO is bringing in 3,000 more troops ahead of the elections to protect the polls.
