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?
Yep.
I’ve read a few books on Dien Bien Phu.
I figured by your screen name that you were a paratrooper.
I have been retired for a while now.
I get my updates from the news.
I don’t know what we are doing or what the Taliban are doing.
I’ve just found that I like to be optimistic when it comes to our fighters.