Fighting The Taliban

McClatchy has an interesting story. They describe a battle between the Taliban and American troops. The battle took place in "eastern Zabul province, in a location so remote that U.S. soldiers there dubbed it "F.O.B. Nowhere.""

In this instance the Americans came out on top. American air support was decisive.

One point that really struck me were the ages of the American soldiers. We are talking young twenties.

McClatchy: Taliban on motorcycles prove no match for U.S. helicopters

U.S. and Afghan troops didn't take the bait, however, and instead waited in a village near the base for air cover. It arrived more quickly than the Taliban expected. Firing Hellfire missiles and 30 mm cannons, the pilots of two Apache helicopters made so many passes that they lost track and nearly ran out of ammunition. Afghan and U.S. ground troops then moved in to kill more.