On the road between Segou and Bamako on Tuesday, a CNN crew saw a large column of French mechanized infantry barreling toward northern Mali.

CNN: United States, Italy lend support for French in Mali

SEGOU, Mali (AP) American planes transported French troops and equipment to Mali, a U.S. military spokesman said Tuesday, as Malian and French forces pushed into the Islamist-held north.

NPR: US Begins Transporting French Troops To Mali