Would you like to take on dug in paratroopers and Marines?
Not me.
One reference...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dien_Bien_Phu
They are in a bad place to set up a defense (and don’t have the man power to create a parameter around the airfield. There is little or no cover in an airport. Last they are surrounded not only by the enemy but by civilians.
The Taliban do not need to attack, they just need to prevent supplies and re-enforcement. Further they could push thousands of civilians towards our troops.
This is more Market Garden then the Battle of the Bulge and with no Patton coming to the rescue.
If ordered to lay down their arms what is the commander on site going to do?
Would you like to take on dug in paratroopers and Marines?
Not me.
We were surrounded and in some fierce fire fights at times but we had two thing going for us. Free fire zone and air support. Neither is available to those troops at the air port.
If help was on its way perhaps but so far Democrats have been willing to sacrifice our troops when push comes to shove.
Maybe the full 82nd and 173rd are on their way but for now it does not look like any help is available.