Posted on 08/15/2006 12:11:43 PM PDT by Flavius
RAF fighter jets have been fired upon by surface-to-air missiles in Afghanistan.
The Harriers provide crucial air support for British troops carrying out operations against the Taliban in the lawless Helmand province to the south of the strife-torn country.
Squadron Leader Damien Killeen, 33, operational commander for the Harrier detachment based in Kandahar, said Taliban forces had a number of American, Russian and Chinese weapon systems at their disposal.
Sqn Ldr Killeen said: "There have been engagements against aircraft, isolated engagements, whilst low flying - small arms, rocket propelled grenades, small rockets - the standard arsenal. We haven't suffered any damage.
"There are man portable air defence systems in theatre, definitely, there are also triple A systems, anti-aircraft artillery."
Although the Harriers are partly in Afghanistan to provide support to the US Operation Enduring Freedom targeting global terrorism, 75 per cent of their time is currently focused on supporting International Security Assistance Force troops in Helmand.
Well, yeah--that's what enemies do. So you kill them. Simple, No?
TC
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