Bad news from Afghanistan. This from the morning ISAF Brief.
Helicopter Crashes in Eastern Afghanistan; Recovery UnderwayMy eyes flashed straight to the enemy activity in the area.
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2011-08-S-014For Immediate Release
KABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 6, 2011) – An International Security Assistance Force helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan today, and recovery operations are underway.
ISAF is still in the process of assessing the circumstances to determine the facts of the incident, reporting indicates there was enemy activity in the area.
Additional details will be released as appropriate.
Of course they're not telling us everything but I just can't see our guys flying into RPG ambushes. Maybe I'm being a homer but the main aviation unit in eastern Afghanistan---the 10th Aviation Combat Brigade---is no stranger to the area and has alot of experience operating there.
I don't expect ISAF to provide much more than they already have but I do wonder if we're not seeing anti-air missiles on a large scale being introduced into this conflict. It would make sense with so many disappearing with the mess in Libya...the confusion in Egypt and the troubles with Iran.
i would add Pakistan as a possible source of shoulder fired AA assets, given the great fall out we have had since the bin laden raid (and even before then) the Taliban fighters and Al Qaeda have had friends within Pakistani Intel and military.
ReplyDeleteNewswires alive about this incident, and it BIG. 31 Spec Ops personnel + 7 Afghan Spec Ops killed. MH-47G, shot down on extraction op.
ReplyDeleteFurther info, 25 SEAL's + 7 Afghans and the chopper crew all dead. Confirmed RPG strike on the helo. RIP to all
ReplyDeleteYou should be happy, Solomon, since they were special forces. Less of them for you to complain about now, eh? I bet you've thrown back a few beers in celebration.
ReplyDelete