US lost eight jets in worst air loss in one day since Vietnam war

[dipsydoodle]

After Taliban gunmen destroyed eight Harrier jets at a US camp in Helmand Province, the US military has suffered its worst air loss in one day since the Vietnam War.

The Taliban attacked Camp Bastion, the main strategic base in southwestern Afghanistan, on Sept. 14, causing $200 million in damage in the single most destructive strike on a Western base during the war, according to military officials.

Two Marines were killed, nine coalition personnel were wounded and six jets costing between $23 million and $30 million were completely destroyed.

The approximately 15 insurgents, dressed in US Army uniforms, had penetrated the base Friday night and instantly began shooting and setting fire to parked Navy-AV-8B Harrier jets when they were inside. Three refueling stations were severely damaged during the attack.

http://rt.com/usa/news/us-jets-attack-taliban-343/

[Auggie]

1. Where was security?

[msongs]

2. stuffing themselves at KFC or Burger King? nt

[former9thward]

18. Any other insults you want to throw at our military?

[Posteritatis]

10. Eleven of them were busy getting killed and wounded, so I'd assume they were there. (nt)

[Auggie]

13. The most likely explanation. n/t

[onenote]

3. So no one is confused: these were planes destroyed on the ground, not shot down.

[cr8tvlde]

4. When you are occupying a country/culture, there is a dependency on native cooperation.

Hard to tell the native "good guys from the bad guys" especially when the occupying force generally doesn't speak Arabic. Suicide mission? And who knows how many of those "insurgents" had lost part or all of their family in drone attacks. It's convenient for many to forget it is their homeland...not ours.

Obama can't win on this insane Bush-incursion. In fact, no one wins but the Military-Industrial-Halliburton-Cheney wealthy complex ... because those planes (and accompanying support system) that were lost were bought on the US taxpayers Credit Card.

And I can't help but notice that our guys who died, who were injured, who are more in harm's way than ever, were likely part of the 47%.

RIP...all who died.

Peace.

[geardaddy]

14. Just a little quibble.

They don't speak Arabic in Afghanistan.

Otherwise, I completely agree with your assessment.

[cr8tvlde]

16. Oopsie...what was I (not) thinking.

Almost as bad as standing down in Czechoslovakia?

[geardaddy]

17. No problem.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. FUBAR war fought for PR. We lost. Get out. Get over it.

[Arugula Latte]

6. And we're there ... why again?

[Egalitarian Thug]

12. Corporate welfare. n/t

[Arugula Latte]

19. Yes. Thanks for the reminder.

[WiffenPoof]

7. I Heard About A Poll...

...that was taken concerning American presence in Afghanistan. Of the Afghans that responded, a large number had no idea why the Americans were in their country. There were even some that thought the Americans were still the Russians. And we still press on. (*sigh*)

-P

[cr8tvlde]

9. This would take just a bit of reframing to describe the insanity/majority of American understanding

...many still think that's why we carpet bombed Iraq. Heck, aren't they all violent Muslims...who can tell?

Sad face.

[Blue_Tires]

8. I didn't know we still had the Harrier in service...

wow...

[Spider Jerusalem]

20. USMC flies Harriers off their amphibious assault carriers

it's been retired from RAF and Royal Navy service, which may be what you're thinking of?

[Posteritatis]

11. Ow. (nt)

[xchrom]

15. Du rec. Nt