An AC-130H gunship jettisons flares as an infrared countermeasure during a training exercise on Aug. 24, 2007. JULIANNE SHOWALTER/U.S. AIR FORCE
A Republican congressman who previously served as a Navy SEAL commander said Thursday that bureaucratic red tape might have delayed a rescue force and prevented close air support from adequately helping an Army Special Forces team during a firefight in southern Afghanistan this week in which one American was killed.
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), questioned if the rules of engagement in Afghanistan played a role in limiting the support troops on the ground received. They remain “so restrictive that when a unit is pinned down available assets are not given the latitude to respond in a timely manner and it appears in this case that it cost lives,” Zinke said in an interview.
WNU Editor: I first heard about this from the Daily Caller .... Reports: C-130 In Support Of Trapped Operators Restricted Due To Fears Of ‘Collateral Damage’ (Daily Caller). The Pentagon has been quick to respond .... CENTCOM: AC-130 'absolutely did fire' in Marjah battle against Taliban (Stars and Stripes) and AC-130 Gunship ‘Responded Quickly’ to Fatal Firefight in Afghanistan: DoD (DoD Buzz).