Top General: Armed F-18 Planes on Standby Amid Kabul Airport Chaos

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor speaks during a news briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Aug. 16, 2021. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The U.S. military has placed armed F-18 jets on standby amid the evacuation chaos at the Kabul airport, a U.S. general said on Aug. 19.

The jets are on standby if the need for air support arises and to ensure the safety of U.S. troops and operations, Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said in a comment to reporters.