View of the C-17 Globemaster as it prepares for takeoff at the Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday Aug. 29, 2021 MARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES via Getty Images
When the military left, more than 150 aircraft and vehicles were permanently disabled by the USA.
At midnight on August 31, the last US military aircraft left Kabul Airport.
Although the Taliban can't use equipment left at an airport, they did capture an arsenal after defeating the Afghan army.
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According to Gen. Frank McKenzie of US Central Command Monday afternoon, the last US military aircraft has left Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. This marks the end of nearly two decades of war against Afghanistan.
McKenzie answered a question about the military equipment that was left at the airport. Other systems were "demilitarized", meaning that they were deliberately broken by the US to stop them being used.
Counter rocket, artillery and mortar (CRAM) systems were used to defend the airport from a rocket attack on Monday. They were then kept online until the very last minute, then demilitarized.
McKenzie stated that "we demilitarized these systems so they won't be used again." "We felt it was more important to protect our forces rather than to bring these systems back.
Further, the general explained that demilitarized equipment consisted of 70 mine-resistant ambush protective (MRAP) vehicles that were "never again be used" by anyone, 27 Humvees that were "never again driven," and 73 aircraft "that will not fly again." Many of these aircraft weren't mission-capable.
He stated, "They won't be able to operate by anyone else again."
McKenzie stated that certain systems such as front-end loaders and fire trucks were still operational to allow the airport to resume operations as quickly as possible.
Although the Taliban took control of Afghanistan earlier in the month with a massive offensive, they will not be able to use any systems that the US military didn't take with them when it left Kabul airport. However, the Taliban managed to seize a large inventory of American-made weapons from the Afghan armed forces. The US has spent billions on arming and equipping these troops.
Jake Sullivan, White House national security advisor, stated recently that while we don't know the full story, it is clear that a lot of defense material has been stolen.
Business Insider has the original article.
