Free Republic

Rangers’ danger, single helicopter among questions Some in the special operations community are privately criticizing the wisdom of Saturday’s failed rescue mission in Afghanistan, saying commanders should have sent more than the one Chinook helicopter that was shot down, killing 30 American troops, including 23 elite Navy SEALs. They also questioned whether the quickly assembled mission was necessary to rescue a band of Army Rangers reportedly under fire from Taliban militants. “I squarely blame whoever planned and authorized the mission for the deaths,” said a Special Forces soldier who served in Afghanistan. “It was simply uncalled for unless Rangers were...