AN F18 LAUNCHES FROM THE USS CARL VINSON, 2001-11-11 (photo)

A US Navy "shooter"signals for a navy F-18 Hornet to launch as the fighter begins its catapult off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for a mission over Afghanistan late November 11, 2001. In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the Northern Alliance had "effective control" of the key crossroads city of Mazar-i-Sharif, but was still meeting pockets of resistance, while British officials confirmed British troops were in Afghanistan assisting the alliance. Pentagon officials have been cautious about declaring a clear victory by the opposition in Mazar-i-Sharif, saying Taliban forces may stage a counterattack. REUTERS/Jim Hollander XX