Classic. They've been sniping at our patrols and convoys on such a regular, predictable basis that we've started bringing back the B-52's for a little surprise now and again...
Posted on 12/01/2002 7:46:16 PM PST by blam
Afghan warlord's forces bombed after attacking US troops
A B-52 bomber has been called into combat in Afghanistan to protect US special forces battling a local warlord's troops outside their base.
No American soldiers were injured during Sunday's shoot-out in western Afghanistan, but at least 11 Afghans were killed in the fighting.
The battle began when a group of special forces patrolling outside Shindand airbase stopped a group of armed men on the roadside. When the patrol stopped, the Afghans opened fire.
US military spokesman Colonel Roger King said the Americans returned fire, then called for air support while making their escape. The B-52 bomber dropped seven 2,000lb laser-guided bombs.
The last time US forces reported using a B-52 in combat in Afghanistan was a July 1 attack in central Uruzgan province on suspected al-Qaida and Taliban cave and bunker complexes which Afghan authorities say killed 48 civilians.
Sunday's incident occurred as forces loyal to Ammanullah Khan, an ethnic Pashtun commander, and rival Ismail Khan clashed in the region. The fighting has forced thousands of residents to flee homes near the frontline.
Ammanullah Khan accused his longtime adversary's ethnic Tajik forces of ordering a massive attack on Saturday on his positions in Zer-e-Koh district, about 15 miles south of Shindand.
King said the bombing had nothing to do with the factional fighting and US forces "never get involved" in disputes between rival warlords.
Ammanullah Khan said he had informed President Hamid Karzai's government about the fighting and to request that the central government intervene but Mr Karzai has little authority outside Kabul.
The rest of the country is in the hands of regional warlords with private armies at their disposal.
Story filed: 01:54 Monday 2nd December 2002
LOL, sure must have surprised those warlords to find out the B-52's are still around.
Classic. They've been sniping at our patrols and convoys on such a regular, predictable basis that we've started bringing back the B-52's for a little surprise now and again...
I expect so, 14,000 pounds of 'guided' explosives on your troops can't go un-noticed.
" The B-52 bomber dropped seven 2,000lb laser-guided bombs."
Now it's time to send a couple more to the headquarters of the punk in charge of the bunch that attacked our soldiers.
We need to make these tinpot warlords understand that there are dire consequences if one of their fools shoots at our guys.
Yup. I think a signal was just sent. They could have used a Warthog or even the C-130 Spectre, huh?
You sure can't just whistle one up from Diego Garcia, or much of anywhere else. Even if they had them cocked and ready to roll, it would take, I would guess, at least 15 minutes for them to get airborne, then hours to get to the target. How many hours would depend on just where the BUFF was based. This one must have been the designated aircover for that patrol, or at least that relatively small area.
BTW, it's always nice to see the old girl get in her licks. The newest one came off the Boeing line in about 1964 IIRC. They, unlike active duty and many reserve forces KC-135s, are still using the original engines.
Maybe, but it's easy to tell when they are the bad guys, they are the ones that are shooting at you.
How do you know that they weren't? Who would be taling to the press about if they were? The troops in contact wouldn't have seen a thing. Would have had to use JDAMS or some other non-laser guided bombs, since there probably wouldn't be anyone around to lase the target, although an F-15E, F-16 or F-18 with the proper pod (LANTIRN,LITNING, etc)could lase the target(s) for the BUFFS, or they could just do it themselves and dispense with the BUFF.
Are you kidding. Islamics cry "massacre" when the sound of our planes frighten their goats.
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