Coalition eases up on Afghan airstrikes

[unhappycamper]

Coalition eases up on Afghan airstrikes
By Tom Vanden Brook and Jim Michaels - USA Today
Posted : Wednesday Jul 14, 2010 8:45:28 EDT

WASHINGTON — Warplanes in Afghanistan are dropping bombs and missiles on insurgents at about 25 percent of the rate they did three years ago despite more widespread combat, reflecting commanders' emphasis on reducing civilian deaths.

So far this year, jets have dropped bombs on only 10 percent of their combat support missions, compared with almost 40 percent in 2007, Air Force records show. The decline coincides with the arrival of most of the additional 30,000 U.S. troops ordered to Afghanistan by President Obama. Attacks on U.S. and allied troops — as well as deaths — are at all-time highs.

The reduction in bombing comes amid debate about rules restricting the use of overwhelming firepower for troops in combat. Some military analysts, including Barry Watts, who flew combat missions in Vietnam, say the rules have increased risk to ground forces fighting the Taliban.

"My sort of gut reaction is that there is frustration about the rules of engagement," said Watts of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. "It looks to me like it's gone a little too far in terms of limiting (civilian casualties)."

Meanwhile, commanders, including Gen. David Petraeus, the top officer in Afghanistan, have said they will examine how the directives that govern the use of firepower, including airstrikes, are practiced in Afghanistan.