US Doubles Apache Force As Marines Prepare For Battle (Afghan)

Independent (UK) ^ | 4-23-2002 | Kim Sengupta

[blam]

US doubles Apache force as marines prepare for battle

By Kim Sengupta in Bagram, Afghanistan
23 April 2002

The United States is doubling the size of its Apache helicopter force at Bagram air base, to provide support for Royal Marines against Taliban and al-Qa'ida fighters in the Afghan mountains. Four additional aircraft will arrive from Kandahar in the next 24 hours to join the build-up of forces at the former Soviet base, in preparation for a series of assaults in northern and eastern Afghanistan.

The Apaches, widely used in the American offensives at Tora Bora and Gardez, will provide aerial firepower alongside a land-based Royal Artillery battery of six 105mm howitzers.

One of the roles of the gunships will be to intercept any enemy fighters trying to flee into Pakistan after an Allied attack. British and American commanders have been deeply frustrated that Taliban and al-Qa'ida fighters have repeatedly taken refuge across the border during recent operations, with the Pakistani army seemingly powerless to stop them. Brigadier Roger Lane, the British forces commander, has stressed that his mandate does not allow hot pursuit across the frontier, but there have been reports of US helicopters carrying out strikes in Pakistani territory.

There has been a certain amount of American chagrin at the seeming British takeover of the war and the dozens of British journalists referring to Bagram, the focal point of Allied operations in Afghanistan, as the 'Royal Marines base'. There was further exasperation over news reports which said British artillery had been brought to Afghanistan to finish the job the Americans failed to complete at Gardez and Tora Bora.

Yesterday, however, Captain Jason Smith, of Charlie Company, 101st Airborne Division, was keen to downplay any talk of rivalry between his men and the British troops. "We have no problems working with all the coalition forces," he said. "Our pilots are experienced in combat in Afghanistan and it will be a pleasure to work with the Royal Marines."

Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Abbott, who flew Apaches in their first combat missions in the Gulf War in 1991, said: "In the Kandahar area the problem was clouds of sand which made take-off and landing difficult. In the mountains it should be clearer.

"We can attack on the guidance of troops on the ground, but I like to see the target myself. This not only prevents accidents, but I know that if I can see him, I can hit him."

* Zacarias Moussaoui, who is accused of complicity in the 11 September attacks, tried to dismiss his legal team yesterday, alleging they were conspiring with the US government to have him executed. "It's a sophisticated version of the kiss of death," Mr Moussaoui said at a federal court in Washington.

Judge Leonie Brinkema refused to dismiss the lawyers, though she said he did not have to co-operate with them. She also ordered a mental examination to ensure he would be able to represent himself.

[cyberaxe]

.....four is going to double it?.....

[Blood of Tyrants]

Four MORE is going to double it. Besides, it is only one airbase.

[cyberaxe]

.....so where's the rest?.....

[Dog]

Something is brewing....that article about Binny being in Pakistan....comes to mind.

The Royal Marines are about to kick some butt!!

[Dog]

You peddling that line again.....how many threads you going to post the same line?????

[TADSLOS]

I thought they said the taliban had been destroyed? If we used these helicopters at Tora Bora where thousands of enemy escaped ---they don't work.

We didn't (use them at Tora Bora) and they do (work).

[r9etb]

Interesting bit of politicking going on here, with attempts to paint a rivalry between us and the Brits. I can't remember where the Independent's politics lie, so I can't judge who stands to benefit from it.

Probably it's just fodder for soccer hooligans.

[cyberaxe]

We didn't (use them at Tora Bora) and they do (work).

.....we used them in the gulf war and they worked better than expected.....

.....but we used a "bunch" of them then.....

.....why only 8 now?.....

[Dog]

Because we are using the AC-130.....and A-10 Warthog's..

[cyberaxe]

Because we are using the AC-130.....and A-10 Warthog's..

.....didn't we use them in the gulf war too?.....

.....what i'm getting at.....

.....has the readiness of the Apache's gone down.....

.....or are they being sent somewhere else?.....

[blam]

".....or are they being sent somewhere else?....."

That's where I thought you were headed...and I am wondering the same thing.

[MadIvan]

It's "Land of Hope and Glory" time. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[Dinsdale]

We didn't (use them at Tora Bora) and they do (work).

Anybody know the ceiling on an Apache? Tora Bora might have been too high for them.

[cyberaxe]

.....kinda makes you wish you were a fly on the wall.....

.....down in Texas.....

[cyberaxe]

Anybody know the ceiling on an Apache?

.....according to this Ceiling: 10,200 ft (hover).....

[Poohbah]

Ah, thanks for the memory...that was one of the better quotes from FReepdom.

[Dinsdale]

Do you know if that is with a weapons load?

In any case that is a limiting factor in the Afghan mountains.

[Ranger]

Would the use of helicopters imply that they are not going into the high mountain ranges because of inherent altitude limitations?