Terrorists Strike Fuel Tankers in Afghanistan

Fox News ^ | 4-17-05

[rdl6989]

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Suspected Taliban (search) rebels set off a bomb next to a fuel tanker parked outside the main U.S. military base in southern Afghanistan (search) early Sunday, setting off a chain of large explosions that destroyed five tankers and injured three drivers, officials said.

The attack took place just after 3 a.m., while Pakistani and Afghan drivers waiting to deliver fuel to the U.S. base at Kandahar (search) airport were sleeping, said Gen. Muslim Ahmed, the local Afghan military commander. No American soldiers were injured.

[Lurker]

Gen. Ahmed needs to be relieved of command immediately.

His security protocols suck.

L

[endthematrix]

Hopefully complacency hasn't set in.

[endthematrix]

His security protocols suck.

His?

"...parked outside the main U.S. military base."

Who is in charge of perimeter security, if in fact this happened outside of the base.

[Lurker]

On a US base, a US commander is in charge of security. But, you're correct. He or she should be relieved as well.

There's no excuse for the enemy getting this close to a US military base under barring an all out assault.

L

[rdl6989]

Tight security measures mean long waits for drivers delivering fuel to U.S. bases in Afghanistan. Alam said he had been sleeping in his truck for 10 days waiting his turn to enter the base.

10 days to deliver the fuel? Does this mean the trucks sat there just outside the base all that time waiting their turn?

[endthematrix]

I guess that since it's outside the base then it's a "good" thing. From the web, I've found some good snipets. Nothing on procedures outside the base.

K9 force protection at Bagram 7/04

Force protection is everyone’s job (Bagram 2002)

This is a good article. It shows what needs to be done on a daily basis.

[rdl6989]

Thanks, very good info!

[chemicalman]

The gas companies just raised the prices up another 5 cents per gallon because this is in the news.

[RaceBannon]

how far outside the base?

10 feet?

10 yards?

10 miles?

I say keep him there a little more.

[StarCMC]

bump and ping

[B4Ranch]

What happened to the 500 foot spacing for tankers? Security?

Somebody needs to be relieved!

[B4Ranch]

It's not the fuel, it's the tank trucks that are hard to replace. You can use a water tanker for fuel one day and then fuel the next.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Why shouldn't Afghans be allowed outside the perimeter? Whose country is it?

[roses of sharon]

This is now being reported as an accident.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[SAMWolf]

Bump

[SFC Chromey]

IF you ask me the risks were well mitigated. The only people injured were TCN's (Third Country Nationals).

Please note the attack did NOT take place inside the perimeter and did not damage the base in any way.

This attack was designed to put fear into others that would want to drive the fuel trucks.

Often times it is the 'local' commander that must work within the framework of the host nation and its local commander.

[Bear_Slayer]

Great! There go the fuel prices.