WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has used Qatar as a listening post to
gather intelligence for tactical operations.U.S. officials said Washington maintains in Qatar fighter-jets and
reconnaissance planes for missions in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. The
military units are based at Al Udeid Air Base near the capital Doha.Qatar is regarded as one of two Gulf Cooperation Council states being
prepared by the United States as forward bases for air missions against
Iraq. The other country is Oman.The Defense Department said the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is being
deployed at Al Udeid. The wing supports operations in Afghanistan and in the
Persian Gulf. Other soldiers deployed in Qatar come from National Guard
units.
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