"Xenophon in Afghanistan?" Topic
8 Posts
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Editor in Chief Bill | 27 Aug 2021 9:57 p.m. PST |
If the Taliban decides to stop U.S. aircraft from flying – which I hope they will not do – what would the options be for the U.S. troops at the airport? Would they hold out until a rescue force fought their way into the country? Could they fight their way cross-country, something like Xenophon marching home from Persia? Or seize a different airfield and evac from there, or would that be the same problem over again. |
Dragon Gunner | 27 Aug 2021 10:25 p.m. PST |
1. Recreate Dien Bien Phu until a relief force fights their way overland from some neighboring country. 2. Drop the 82nd, Rangers and Special Forces at Bagram or just outside of Bagram and take the airfield. Then airlift in heavier armor and fight your way to Kabul and extract our people. 3. I think a march like Xenophon would be impossible, we would be dragging around a baggage train of Afghan and American civilians it would be impossible to protect them. We would recreate the British experience at Gandamak 1st Afghan war. I think the Taliban will let us go but not before we endure more sniping and mortar attacks on the airfield from ISIS, more blood will be spilled before this is over. I wonder what will happen when multi million dollar aircraft start blowing up on the tarmac or are rendered unairworthy from attacks? I also predict our current leadership will declare mission accomplished regardless of how many Afghans or Americans get left behind… |
Editor in Chief Bill | 27 Aug 2021 10:30 p.m. PST |
I think the Taliban will let us go but not before we endure more sniping and mortar attacks on the airfield from ISIS. It only takes one guy with a shoulder-launched missile to screw things up, and that airfield is surrounded by mountains not in our control. |
John the OFM | 27 Aug 2021 11:24 p.m. PST |
A few MOABs and B-52 strikes should make it easier. Xenophon didn't have them, nor did Napoleon at Waterloo. |
Thresher01 | 28 Aug 2021 1:33 a.m. PST |
Given the vast distances involved, and lack of any really friendly neighboring countries in the region, air extraction seems the only plausible method to me. If needed, AC-130s, B-52s, and other aircraft can provide the cover and enemy suppression needed. Our cargo aircraft have a decent number of countermeasures to protect them. Granted, they are slow, sitting ducks when coming in for a landing, taking off, and even more so when sitting on the tarmac. However, I'm sure at least some of you may have noticed flares being fired off in large numbers by aircraft taking off from the runway there. That should provide at least some degree of protection. Far more worrisome are unguided rockets and mortars, which could be a real threat, if/when used in mass against the aircraft and troops there. No doubt, drone are in the are watching over the area in order to give us at least some warning of that, and to take them out, if/when detected. |
USAFpilot | 28 Aug 2021 12:02 p.m. PST |
If the runway in Kabul is damaged, no aircraft will be taking off or landing there. We can bring a lot of fire, but the Taliban is now intermixed with the civilian population of Kabul. |
Guroburov | 28 Aug 2021 12:49 p.m. PST |
It's in the Taliban's best interests to let the flights continue. They'll try (and still fail) to look accommodating on the international stage while looking strong at home having driven us out. No need to create a situation in which we stay longer. The problem is can they keep Isis from interfering? As Thresher01 says the cargo craft have decent countermeasures. Short of Isis figuring out how to crater the runway, I don't think we'll be stopped other than for the inevitable suicide bombers. |
Legion 4 | 29 Aug 2021 9:29 a.m. PST |
It's in the Taliban's best interests to let the flights continue. Yes … they want us out so they can run their medieval fanatic religious "paradise". But just as importantly they cut more deals with the PRC/CCP, etc. Money talks and it's even better when they can have 12 year old "brides". Kill, rape, torture, etc. anyone you want just because the are females, etc., or think differently than a corrupted version of a religious dogma. The order should have never been given to leave Bagram. Trying to retake it could be bloody. So I don't think it will happen. Even though it was a fortified airbase. Impossible to make a major attack without taking high losses trying. A huge tactical error, costing us lives. It's in the Taliban's best interests to let the flights continue. Yes … they want us out so they can run their medieval fanatic religious "paradise". But just as importantly they cut more deals with the PRC/CCP, etc. Money talks and it's even better when they can have 12 year old "brides". Kill, rape, torture, etc. anyone you want just because the are females, etc., or think differently than a corrupted version of a religious dogma. The order should have never been given to leave Bagram. Trying to retake it could be bloody. So I don't think it will happen. Even though it was a fortified airbase. Impossible to make a major attack without taking high losses trying. A huge tactical error, costing us lives.
AC-130s, B-52s, and other aircraft can provide the cover and enemy suppression needed. Plus Drones etc., will cover our withdrawal. Plus as we know and see C-17s etc. have some counter measure, e.g. flares … We can bring a lot of fire, but the Taliban is now intermixed with the civilian population of Kabul. Again I don't think it's the Taliban we to worry about too much. ISIS-K is the real threat. No doubt, drone are in the are watching over the area in order to give us at least some warning of that, and to take them out, if/when detected. Yes we will have drones, etc., watching as we pull out. As we are now, I'd think. And we saw again yesterday how effective Drones can be … I.e. taking out that VBIED in the city… At this point CD should not longer be concern. If thinks really go to … MOABs … |
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