Stardate 20011018.1148 (On Screen via long range sensors): Iranian state radio is reporting that US ground forces have landed near Kandahar and that fighting has begun. I'm not sure I believe this. Combat is a very confusing thing, and terrified men see things that aren't there. One thing can be mistaken for another. When the AC-130 gunships went into action, the Taliban originally said that helicoptor gunships were in action. What I suspect is going on here is that Taliban forces near Kandahar have been getting strafed by AC-130's. They're not used to aircraft firing small caliber weapons (such as the 25 mm Gatling gun on the AC-130) nor are they used to a weapon that hovers. Also, turbo-props such as are used on the AC-130 sound much different than jet engines; they do actually sound a bit like a helicoptor engine. So if Taliban troops have found some of their own apparently machine-gunned, they may assume it was ground troops which did it.
That said, if it is indeed the case that our military commanders hope to get this finished before winter, then they're going to need to get onto the ground fairly soon so as to allow themselves time to wrap this up before foul weather sets in. In general, an operation like this will work best if it is unexpected; it is always desireable in war to confuse your enemy. Our commanders won't confirm such an operation has taken place until after such time as the Taliban clearly know what is going on, so that it's no longer any secret from our enemies. How long that would take would depend entirely on what kind of operation is taking place. If it's really an armed assault, probably two days. If, on the other hand, this was a patrol which wasn't seeking combat but which got caught and had to fight its way out, it may be weeks before it's confirmed. (discuss)
