A FRENCH RAFALE FIGHTER JET REFUELS WITH AN AIRBORNE BOEING C-135 REFUELLING TANKER AIRCRAFT FROM THE ISTRES MILITARY AIR BASE DURING A REFUELLING OPERATION ABOVE THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA MARCH 25,2011. He said the U.S. military initially assumed command of all three missions in order to quickly implement the U.N. resolution authorizing the action. But President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials made it clear the United States would hand off control of the operation as soon as feasible.