"Today is the day we implemented our conops (concept of operations) because we have our land forces in the city," said Lieutenant General T. Michael Moseley.

The plan put in operation is to "provide airborne forward air controllers over the city 24 hours a day and multiple sets of fighters with multiple munitions options stacked up 24 hours a day to be able to respond to the land component requirements inside the city if we have to," he said.

Moseley acknowledged that providing close air support to ground troops fighting in the city and keeping civilian casualties to a minimum was "a tough problem."

"The trick is, if you have to do this, is to use the smallest munition possible to get the maximum effect so that you don't create those unnecessary losses of civilian life or property," he said.

Noting the recent US experience in Afghanistan, he expressed confidence that "we'll get through this, and we'll be able to support the land component, we'll be able to work this problem better than anybody's been able to do it."

"General (David) McKiernan, the land component commander, and I don't intend for anybody to be a sitting duck," he said.

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