Even as air strikes on targets in Afghanistan continued at a high level October 15, U.S. officials downplayed the significance of mere numbers in gauging the effort accurately.
Victoria Clarke, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told reporters at the Pentagon October 16 that while military efforts may level off in the next several days, that does not mean the campaign to root out terrorists is diminishing.
She cautioned that "things not seen may be under way" on such occasions, and that non-military actions may be taking place. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory S. Newbold, also at the briefing, stressed that the number of aircraft used is not a measure of the effectiveness of the military campaign.
Nevertheless, Newbold confirmed that more than 100 aircraft were used October 15 against 12 targets, including a terrorist camp and training area as well as airfields, aircraft, antiaircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile sites. Of that number, six to eight were land-based bombers, and the rest carrier-based strike aircraft. Five sea-launched cruise missiles were used as well, Newbold said, and four aircraft carriers were involved.
Taliban forces were attacked in a robust way, Newbold said, in troop staging, maintenance, terrorist equipment and storage areas.
Newbold confirmed that two AC-130 gunships were used October 15, but he did not specify what targets the ships were used against. He deemed the mission successful.
AC-130s are modified propeller-driven planes which are equipped with several rapidly firing smaller-caliber guns in addition to several larger-caliber cannon. They are used to attack ground targets.
Asked why AC-130 gunships were used, Newbold said that type of craft possesses assets which make it an excellent weapons platform to use in the environment of Afghanistan: as a precision weapons platform, it allows U.S. planners to reduce collateral damage; it has long "loiter" ability, allowing it to hang over a target area for a much longer time than a fighter jet; and the gunship has a large crew of specialists that enhances its ability to acquire targets.
Humanitarian supplies continued to be dropped by air yesterday. Nearly 70,000 individual food packages were delivered, bringing the total of packages that have been dropped by air to date to nearly 350,000, Newbold said.
Both Clarke and Newbold said that they had heard a report of a Red Cross warehouse being damaged October 15, but were unable to confirm that the incident occurred. Newbold did confirm that air operations took place near the city where the warehouse was located.
"It would be irresponsible to speculate," Newbold said. "We truly don't know right now."
Air strikes were carried out against Taliban positions around Kabul, Newbold said, including those that protect the capital. Strikes also occurred near Mazar-e-Sharif, he said. Newbold said the United States believes Northern Alliance forces are very close to Mazar-e-Sharif, whose loss, he said, would represent a significant blow to the Taliban. (ends)
Click here for transcriopt of the Pentagon's Oct. 16 news briefing on the Pentagon website
