US Leaving UK allies in Afghanistan Without Crucial Air Support

[MrScorpio]

16 October 2006 19:07

MoD forced to hire civilian helicopters in Afghanistan
By Francis Elliott and Raymond Whitaker
Published: 15 October 2006


Britain is so short of helicopters in Afghanistan that military chiefs are being forced to scour the world for civilian aircraft to support its troops after the US rejected a plea to help plug the shortfall.

An ageing fleet of just eight Chinooks is working around the clock to supply and reinforce soldiers in remote outposts facing waves of Taliban attacks. The only Chinook in the Falklands was taken away for use in the campaign.

The revelations come in the wake of the outburst by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the army chief, against the Government's military strategy last week.

The Independent on Sunday can also reveal that reconnaissance and intelligence missions in Afghanistan are being affected by the lack of smaller and more flexible helicopters. But senior military officials said that when UK commanders asked for temporary deployment of US helicopters in Afghanistan, they were told there were none to spare.

Clip

* Private Peter McKinley, 21, of the Parachute Regiment has become the first British soldier in Afghanistan to be recommended for the Victoria Cross after he saved a wounded US sergeant under heavy fire.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article1873831.ece

I wonder if the Brits will be able to save anymore of our wounded boys at anytime in the future. Without choppers, they may have to do it on horseback:

[leftchick]

1. it is about time the UK told the US

to fuck off! and leave them to their own phoney wars.

[Greeby]

3. We did

Unfortunately, we have President Tony in charge, so what we think about it don't mean shit

[leftchick]

4. I know

I meant the government. I know full well how the people feel and I LOVE IT!!!!



:yourock:

[NNN0LHI]

2. Thats probably why France is leaving n/t