US helicopters attack Taliban positions

IE Breaking ^ | 05/11/2001 8:13:25 AM GMT

[maquiladora]

American helicopter gunships have reportedly attacked Taliban military positions near the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The Afghan Islamic Press agency reported helicopter assaults on Taliban installations and residential areas north of the city, while US jets also attacked several locations around Kabul and the frontline to the north.

The US has also attacked Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif and the Bakhtar News Agency said 10 people were killed and 15 injured in a village south of Mazar-e-Sharif.

It also said five people were killed and seven wounded in an attack in Kandahar.

[dennisw]

Pakistani techies would be capable of cobbling together fresh batteries for the stingers and the launchers. And installing them.

Looks like Osama didn't get his sh!t together on this one! A US/UK helo hit by a stinger would be a propaganda bonanza.

[oyez]

~Somebody set us up the bomb!~

[Blueflag]

The heat bloom of an Apache in motion is not necessarily near the fuselage. They are harder to take down with a SAM than you might imagine. Plus, flying nap of the earth, I understnad they are barely in the flight envelope of a Stinger.

Having written all that, I agree the threat must be greatly diminished.

p.s. The Apaches are like flying tanks-- best supported by, and supporting forces on the ground. I think we have half the story here.

[oyez]

Maybe stingers out of battery power...

What? No extention cords?

[SAMWolf]

"Helicopters are approaching!! My! My! Look at the time!! Gotta go!"

[poindexter]

Or maybe we forgot to leave spare batteries for those Stingers!

[finnman69]

It's not just helicopers..............

Elite Marine unit makes first strikes on Taliban

By César G. Soriano, USA TODAY

ABOARD THE USS PELELIU — After weeks of sailing in circles off the coast of Pakistan, the U.S. Marine Corps finally picked a public fight with the Taliban. AV-8B Harrier jets were used in combat in Operation Enduring Freedom on Saturday. It was the first time such missions have been acknowledged by the Marines.

Elite Marine unit makes first strikes on Taliban

[Brett66]

Apaches - Kills ragheads dead.

[Gumption County]

They can be used as a standoff platform, "under" the horizon, with proper ground support targeting. That neutralizes the Stinger threat, the bearer of such weapon having no way of knowing where to aim and shoot - there is no visible target.

[sharkdiver]

I used to work on these badass hombre'. Rest assured America any, repeat any sanitary napkin wearing prayering to allah has just said his last prayer and has kissed his four point contact goodbye if'n he gets caught by this flying creature of destruction.

[usconservative]

I'll bet this is the last time the Taliban bring a knife to a gun fight.

Kick their asses Boys!! Make us proud!

[PianoMan]

What you say? *blam*

[Judge Parker]

Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. I worked with the 9th MAB off (and in) Vietnam during June to Oct. '69. The young Marines sound as if they have their heads on straight. In our time, most of us wouldn't talk to newsmen. On the other hand, in ten months in Vietnam, I only saw two, and never saw one in Laos or along the Laotian border. Guess they were there, but I never saw them or heard of them being around. I think they filed their stories from Saigon, or maybe Da Nang. I did hear of some pretty good ones from earlier years, but they were dead by the time I got there.

[quark]

Like the good old Saturday afternoon 'oaters,' do the bad guys in the Muslim world wear black turbans? If so, what's up with Bin Lyin's 'do rag?

[madison46]

If true..and if the reports of Harriers now droping bombs, looks like we are starting to really go after them. If we can keep it up...and we can...winter is going to really be bad for them.

I wonder, if the snows come, will Taliban troops be stuck in their positions without a way to retreat? I also wonder if they will be trapped from escaping to the caves...? If so, it's a nice strategy.

[Blueflag]

Not only wil retreat be difficult and risky, re-supply will be a suicide mission of its own. With STARS and Global Hawk and Predators looking over the 'battlefield' in real time, who would want to try to drive a re-supply truck, or even lead a caraven of camels?

They'll die hungry and cold.

[Blueflag]

correction

STARS = JSTARS

we regret the error.

[madison46]

I knew what you meant re: JSTARS

If the reports of Harriers dropping bombs and helicopters striking Kabul are true, then the Taliban are going to die like you said...cold and hungry.

It would be great strategy to let winter close the passes, muddy the roads, and freeze the trips to the caves, then hit 'em with troops who won't suffer from those constraints. New base 50 miles north of Kabul, bases in Tajikastan and capturing M. Sharif for it's base would really do wonders.

[arm958]

If that thing was angry I don't think I'd want to be within 5 miles of it.