Kandahar Air Base
With many roads in Afghanistan too dangerous to use, helicopters play an integral part in NATO's strategy. The giant airbase in Kandahar has become a key staging post. But even this vast compound isn't safe from attack.
"Not since Vietnam have our aviators been engaged by enemy fire as they approach the landing zone", states Lt Col Mick Prichter. There's particular concern that the Taliban has shoulder fired missiles, used with such devastating effect against the Russians in the 1980s. At least one US helicopter has been shot down.
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