[P-Marlowe]

This was most definitely an ambush. I would suspect that someone on the inside (most likely an Afghan regular) tipped the Taliban as to the location of this helicopter and its mission.

I am puzzled as to why so many special forces were concentrated in one helicopter?

If you are doing a general troop movement, I can see it, but this was apparently part of a military operation.

I would think you would send a bunch of smaller helicopters carrying no more than 5 or 6 combat troops each and thereby minimize the risk that something like this could happen.

[xzins]

See my #33