After aerial refuelling from a KC-135 Stratotanker, a US Air Force B-52 was able to refuel in the US Central Command area. December 30, 2020. Roslyn Ward, Senior AirmanAs the US forces withdraw, the Taliban have been seizing territories in Afghanistan.To stop the Taliban's advance on three cities, the US sent B-52 bombers to Afghanistan and Spectre gunships.This move highlights how Afghan forces still depend on the US for their military equipment and support.Check out more stories from Insider's business page.In an effort to stop Taliban insurgents marching towards three cities, the US sent B-52 bombers to Afghanistan and Spectre gunships.Sources told The Times that the B-52s were flying into Afghanistan from a Qatari airbase. They hit targets in Kandahar, Herat and Lashkar Gah in Helmand.This move is taking place amid a dire situation in Afghanistan as the Taliban continue to seize territory throughout the country, as US-led forces withdraw.According to the Pentagon, half of Afghanistan's 419 districts are now under its control.Friday's capture of Zaranj in Nimroz by the Taliban was the first major provincial capital taken by the Taliban since May, when they launched their military campaign.On the same day, Dawa Khan Menapal was assassinated by the Taliban.American bombers and gunships were deployed to Afghanistan, proving how dependent the US is on their support.The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range subsonic strategic bomber powered by jets, can transport up to 32 tonnes.Arab News reports that the bombers were first flown during the Cold War. They played a crucial role in the fall of the Taliban in late 2001.According to The Times, B-52s have not been used in Afghanistan in nearly a year.The Times reported that the US also uses armed Reaper drones as well as AC-130 Spectre gunships. At least five missions are flown daily.According to The Times, the Afghan air force still relies on US-supplied aircraft. They are running out of spares and qualified technicians since the departure of US contractors.Continue the storyAccording to the paper, at least seven Afghan pilots were killed in Taliban attacks. Others are said to be exhausted from endless missions.Joe Biden has established a withdrawal deadline of August 31st. However, American defense sources informed The Times that they were confident that the airstrikes would continue after that date.Arab News was told by Mohammad Hassan, a retired colonel and security analyst.The cancellation of flights to Herat, and the fact that America has re-started using B-52 are not positive signs. This will increase panic and show the precariousness in the situation.According to the Afghan government, more than 40,000 families were affected by the fighting in Afghanistan since May.Business Insider has the original article.
