First Harrier jump jet raids launched

US Marines on the USS Peleliu launched their first airstrikes against Taliban and al-Qaida targets in Afghanistan today, using Harrier jump jets loaded with 500lb bombs, officials said.

Leaving a trail of black smoke, four AV-8B Harriers from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit took off from the amphibious assault ship this morning, heading north toward Afghanistan. One returned to the ship an hour later after experiencing communications problems.