Apache Pilots Shocked by Size of Attack on Afghan Outpost

ABC ^ | Afghanistan, Oct. 8, 2009 | KAREN RUSSO

[Joiseydude]

The pilot of an Apache gunship, who flew to the rescue of U.S. soldiers nearly overrun at a remote outpost in Afghanistan last weekend, told ABC News today that he had "never seen that large of a force" attacking coalition troops in Afghanistan.

By the time Warrant Officer Ross Lewellen and Warrant Officer Chad Bardwell arrived over the embattled outpost, dubbed Camp Keating, it was in flames and dozens of insurgents could be seen on the camp's perimeter.

When the battle was over and the fire extinguished, many who survived had nothing left "except the clothes off their backs and the weapons in their hands," one soldier told ABC News.

[screaminsunshine]

Obama Puke.

[Steve Van Doorn]

I don’t know why people got all worked up over one lady he killed in a river. Ted Kennedy has the blood of millions on his hands literally. I say millions due to the blood shed that took place after the war.

[Cheburashka]

Well said. Whomever selected that base placement has no business being involved in any type of military planning. Such a basic and obvious mistake of placing a military base at the bottom of a rocky mountain that you don't even control and is full of excellent firing points is inexcusable and cost the lives of several heroes. I'm very proud of the troops but thoroughly disgusted they were put in that position.

---

The placement was bad, but up to now it was protected by the fact that the insurgents couldn't bring too many guerrillas into a small area - the target was too juicy for air strikes. Now of course the Obama rules of engagement restrict the use of air strikes for fear of causing civilian casualties, so the insurgents can mass for their attacks. Of course, someone should have pulled the troops out of this position as soon as the new ROE came down.

Obama, trash getting good men killed since January 20, 2009.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

PING :

From what I can see those guys didn’t have much wire up,,,

Looks like only one roll of wire tall,,,

From your link :

“One concern was a report that several large caliber weapons were trained on the helicopter landing zone, waiting for a Medevac flight to take out the wounded. The Medevac chopper didn’t arrive until after 9 p.m. that night under the cover of darkness and after those weapons had been located and destroyed.”

How many died waiting for a Dust-off?!?!?!

[Levante]

The enemy is emboldened by the incompetent nancy-boy commie muslim in the White hut.

Maybe Oblama’s “Star Power” will help (puke).

[Cheburashka]

I watched a Discover channel on Isladwana. The Zulus were hepped up on some sort of magic potion and the British fired so much that the smoke from their weapons obscured their view so much that the Zulus were able to come on in through the smoke and wreak some havok.

---

Don't know what the Disco Channel said, but my recollection about Isandlwana is that some idiot quartermasters kept the ammunition boxes locked (don't want to have the troops taking extras rounds - might be a shortage at the next inventory and there will be hell to pay for Mr. Quartermaster) and when the troops used up the ammunition they were issued before the battle they couldn't get resupplied fast enough. Bayonet vs spear combat is contraindicated when you are outnumbered 5 to 1 or more. Up until the British ready ammo ran out the Zulus were taking heavy causalities, couldn't close to hand-to-hand range, and were wavering.

The quartermasters didn't live to take another inventory, a lesson to quartermasters everywhere - when the troops ask for ammo, your job is to give it to them.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

[Levante]

“He (Obama)will fail the military. He will sell us out.”

You can COUNT on it.

[mom aka the evil dictator]

Is there anything else on the list they need? My son is sitting in Kuwait right now but I have boxes of stuff I can send. Give me a list with a name and address and I can get it out tomorrow. I was wanting to do something and didn’t know who to contact.

[maine-iac7]

Thank you for your offer - but the list of needs got filled in just 3 days - phenomenal response. Hopefully, those troops will take a little heart knowing that we, the people know and care.

What happened to them was because of the enemy within setting them up to, basically, give the TERRORISTS free target practice.

The TERRORISTS that the Chief enemy within now says are no threat and we're ONLY after Al Queda. The very TERRORISTS that brutalized Afghanistan, destroyed it's infrastructure and took the people back to the dark ages - the country whose people Bush freed, along with the people of Iraq - and the obamination gets the PP - based on his campaign rhetoric, NONE of which he has carried out - well,none except the enslaving of America.

[Constitution Day]

First thing I thought of when I read this, as well.

[tet68]

Re; Khe San

Actually more like Den Bien Phu.
The french base was set in a bowl surrounded by hills.

[gitmo]

Thank you. That’s the battle.

[warsaw44]

My friend and me get together on Saturdays for breakfast so I'll mention this to him. His jaw will drop without question. He is well read and likes to keep up to date on current events but I doubt if he has heard this.

I'm certain he has handled claymores while in Vietnam. He was there in 1965 or 1966 with the Green Berets. On occasion he has told me some pretty hairy stories about attacks at night by large numbers of enemy soldiers so I've no doubt he is familiar with how effective the claymore is.

claymores, landmines, napalm and the flamethrower - RIP. Just insane.

[ExiledChicagoan]

Nothing more than an armchair general here, but why put a small contingent of soldiers in a remote and desolate area and than not have them close enough to instant aerial support or already have the coordinates in place for battle?

Do the higher-ups really think the local ragheads don't know that they are there?

[ExiledChicagoan]

battle=arty.

[NCC-1701]

Just looked at the fire rate of the Vulcans. 7,200 rpm. that;s a LOT of lead(steel) coming at you. Now I know why they use the C-130. They need to carry so much ammo to feed those hungry guns. Those and the other two guns(cannons). Lots of firepower. Neat displays when cutting loose.

[XenaLee]

Actually, we ARE to be toyed with. Under Zero’s new ROE, we’re just fodder and entertainment for the enemies of America now....and more and more lives will be lost as we are told to stand down and not return fire, etc. I’m just wondering if the military knows what they’re in for here and now....much much worse even than another VietNam. And I wonder if they will stand for it. Hell, I’m wondering if WE will stand for it. I won’t. But I can’t do a thing by myself. I’m just a very pissed off female living in Texas and seeing the writing on the wall.

[Chgogal]

Must read if you haven't seen this yet.

BTTT