Replies

According to what I've seen and read in the papers (and also heard on a Pentagon briefing) the US has been watching the build-up of formerly dispersed al Qaida forces in this area for several weeks. It was reported that the Afghan units with the US special forces unit were on a training mission or were being given battle field training by US special forces by going up against the al Qaida army.

I believe that is BS. The US was watching the al Qaida build up for some time; waiting for them all to dig in at one place. The Afghan "training misson" was just a feint, intended to draw the al Qaida units out of hiding so the 101st could pounce them -- with a later follow up by AC-130 gunships and B-52s.
I'm glad Geraldo is missing it all.