Defense Department authority for American support of France's military operations in the north African country of Mali is set to expire at the end of this month, but that mission could be extended pending an official request for continued assistance form the French, according to defense officials. DOD, primarily through the Air Force's airlift, aerial refueling, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, has been supporting the French military since January in its mission to help Mali, a former colony, combat...
