Kunar is very complex terrain and we only occupy postage stamp firebases. The Muj can occupy adjoining villes and forests. It sounds like a large multi prong assault on a combat outpost. A combat outpost is several hundred or even a few thousand meters away from the firebase on a likely avenue of approach to the firebase. It serves as early warning and initial defense of the firebase. Most artillery is left in the states and attack helo’s or fast movers are relied on but thay need fuel and Kunar is at a high altitude and loiter times are short for the helo.s,
Yeah, I agree. I’be got some buddies over there right now in the thick of it, and there have been some problems with the isolated U.S. outposts, specifically with resupply and relief in place. I’m guessing that the Taliban took advantage of the outpost’s location, as part of the larger offensive, and then resorted to ambush tactics, using the local schools and and houses for cover, rules of war be damned.
Think Lang Vei SF outpost in I Corps RVN 1967, or, Plei Me in 1965. Lang Vei was actually penetrated by NVA sappers and overrun by regulars, before relief from Khe Sanh Combat Base could get there. I suppose the outposts in Afghanistan are smaller and less heavily armed and fortified than a SF camp in RVN, but don’t know for sure.