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Why Helicopters Are Critical to Afghanistan War Success
ABC News/McClatchey ^ | 11/29/2009 | Jay Price

Posted on 11/29/2009 6:42:00 AM PST by Saije

Edited on 11/29/2009 6:56:38 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

In one of the worst chapters of their casualty-marred deployment in Afghanistan, Canadian forces earlier this year lost 10 soldiers in 90 days to improvised bombs on one stretch of highway in Kandahar province. Then a US Army helicopter crew stalking Taliban insurgents who plant bombs at night spotted a five-man team, watched the insurgents through sophisticated optical gear until it was certain that's what the men were doing and got permission to kill them.


(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; choppers; helicopters; shortage
I read these articles and think, there's too much focus on the number of troops and not enough on whether or not Obama's going to make sure they have what they need.
1 posted on 11/29/2009 6:42:02 AM PST by Saije
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To: Saije

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM8h6mVWX60


2 posted on 11/29/2009 6:49:50 AM PST by GonzoII ("That they may be one...Father")
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To: Saije
Here's what bugs the 'heck' out of me...
"Taliban insurgents who plant bombs at night spotted a five-man team, watched the insurgents through sophisticated optical gear until it was certain that's what the men were doing and got permission to kill them."
There should be no, 'permission to kill them' required. The entire country should be a Free Fire Zone and 'killing them' should be SOP.

The ROE's suck.
And 30,000 or 300,000 more troops wont help a dang the way things are now, it's 'almost' FUBAR.

3 posted on 11/29/2009 7:03:32 AM PST by Condor51 (The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits)
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To: Saije

We need to learn from history. I remember a jihadi talking about the Russians in Afganistan from years ago. He said none of them were afraid of the Russian troops, armor or special equipment. They were afraid of nothing on the face of the earth. But the russian helicopters struck terror in their hearts. They were fast, unfightable and brought death and destruction. The jihadi said that it was rare that anyone escaped after being stalked and attacked by one.


4 posted on 11/29/2009 7:17:07 AM PST by FreeInWV (Have you had enough change yet?)
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To: FreeInWV

your right they called them choppers the “Chariots of Death”


5 posted on 11/29/2009 7:19:17 AM PST by Cripplehawk
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To: FreeInWV
The jihadi said that it was rare that anyone escaped after being stalked and attacked by one.

Maybe that guy needs to get a personal lesson on the capabilities of C-130 gunships.

6 posted on 11/29/2009 7:20:15 AM PST by Paladin2
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To: Condor51

“and got permission “ good God ..This is intolerable ...
Time to fight back...here’s one way.
http://www.theumat.com/


7 posted on 11/29/2009 7:34:17 AM PST by mosesdapoet (The indiscriminate use of videos unrelated to the subject are screwing up downloads)
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To: Condor51
There should be no, 'permission to kill them' required. The entire country should be a Free Fire Zone and 'killing them' should be SOP.

During the Gulf War, an AH-64 attack helicopter pilot did not ask enough questions and destroyed an American Bradley fighting vehicle killing all aboard.

AH-64 friendly fire incident, 1991

In Afghastistan, F-16's spotted individuals "firing" in what they thought was the middle of nowhere and attacked. The individuals turned out to be Canadian troops practicing at a firing range.

Tarnak Farm incident

Having the entire country be a Free Fire Zone with firing decisions being made by pilots without any clear knowledge of what friendly units are below them is an invitation to friendly fire disasters.

The U.S. military has learned from prior tragic mistakes.

"When the Jerries fire we duck. When we fire the Jerries duck. When the Yanks fire everybody ducks!" ..... World War II British Army saying

8 posted on 11/29/2009 8:06:28 AM PST by Polybius
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To: FreeInWV

Just wait until the Russians ship the Talibs the Olga and Olga-M MANPAD SAM’s. (Stingerskori’s)


9 posted on 11/29/2009 3:21:20 PM PST by Thunder90 (Fighting for truth and the American way... http://citizensfortruthandtheamericanway.blogspot.com/)
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