there is only one “road” to the airport from the town. if the road is blocked they could be considered trapped. However, there are helo’s there. Also, from the reuters breaking alert at 2:45 pm est...
Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Commander Elissa Smith confirmed the fighting in al-Baghdadi. She said there had been no direct attack on the air base, adding: “There were reports of ineffective indirect fire in the vicinity of the base.”
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0LG23120150212?irpc=932
here’s a little history from December 19th 2014
Inside Iraqi air base as Islamic State closes in
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30492064
“We stood our ground. But IS advanced with tanks - we only have Humvees,” Pt Karar Hadi said.
“What we need are helicopters and combat aircraft. I don’t know why the planes didn’t come. They’re saying the conditions are wrong, but the weather is fine now. In two days, there wasn’t a single air strike.”
The Americans are back in Ain al-Asad, and three of their army medics tried to save Brig Radad.
Their primary role is training tribal fighters. They are in a private corner of the camp - largely unseen. But their presence is viewed as essential.
Qais, the Al Bu Nimr fighter, said: “We know that Ain al-Asad will never fall while the Americans are here. They won’t let it happen.”
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Centcom, do you copy?