Knowing someone out there who is part of the process who goes out of Kabul, its not always the case that aircraft are filled for various reasons. Also that vehicle will have a very valid reason why it comes back and if its the type im guessing its not just the fact its armoured that makes it important not to leave.

The photos of flights departing half empty show it is not.

It should be realised that aircraft cannot sit on the ground until they are full before departing. Just like at any busy airport there are only so many parking slots and each one occupied will have another aircraft airborne en-route due to fill it.

Each aircraft on the ground will have a block time - and at the end of it they go, full or empty, to allow the next aircraft to take it. The manifest will have prepared, all checks done - and they go.

In the meantime there will be other materiel due to depart - be it SF or other vehicles, or indeed anything else in theatre which is ready to go. If they space and weight is available they’ll put it on. Why shouldn’t they?

In the meantime you have idiots like the ex-RM bleating about not being allowed to fly in his charter flight fir his animals.

You may have noticed all the other flights are C-17s and C-130s with APUs sitting in a ramp for loading. No ground units, no steps, no scissor loaders.

With the civil side closed I’m not sure who he thinks would be able, or willing, to turn his flight round when they’ve got their own jobs to do, let alone with the expertise to handle animals.

It would seem that those Afghans currently at the airport are the last.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...line-qpzw7xrxx

Taliban ban Afghans from Kabul airport amid British and US airlifts

President Biden is set to stick to a deadline of August 31 to withdraw from Afghanistan despite the Taliban barring Afghans from travelling to board evacuation flights.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, told a press conference that only foreigners would be allowed to reach the airport in Kabul for flights laid on by Nato and western forces.

“The road to Kabul airport is closed for locals and open to foreigners,” Mujahid said. “We fully assure the locals and tell them to return to their homes.” He added: “We are not in favour of allowing Afghans to leave”.

The Taliban have also told women to stay at home for their own safety, saying: “It’s currently for their benefit to prevent any ill treatment.”…..

Taliban also concerned about a drain of talent, I read somewhere earlier.

Honestly, won't make much of a difference. This country is firmly southbound. I only feel for the women who probably didn't have much say in what is coming to them now.

Show a little class! The bleating ex RM (Pen Farthing) is a veteran of Afghanistan,who paid for the charter,for himself and 68 staff (all with visas/permission), plus they have offered the additional 100 spare seats to the MOD.
The 68 staff work for the Nowzad charity,vets amongst them. Round trip fuel,use the APU & air stairs + beltloader. All the pax need to be processed anyway and all the animals have DEFRA paperwork.
Unlike the dinosaurs you flew,ground support requirements for the aircraft are minimal.

A little economical with the truth.

He has been told, as a UK passport holder he will be allowed to fly. His Afghan staff have been told they can join the queue - not jump it - with no guarantee they will get to fly. His animals haven’t been cleared to travel and no vetinary staff are in theatre to clear them to fly.

The Taliban haven’t been consulted and have stated the Afghans won’t be allowed to reach the airport. There is no reason why the USA, UK or anyone else would help to overcome that problem.

You state they can do the turn round themselves, fine, in which case they have the complete civil side of the airport to do so - otherwise which military flight would you propose they bump to open a slot for them?

I am not saying all the above is insurmountable - but in the timescale remaining it will distract attention from the primary task - and I’m not willing to see one child or adult die to save a donkey.

Consider that classless if you wish.

If you want me to be really ruthless - in the next couple of months they might provide the meat that keeps a few kids alive in Afghanistan….

https://worldnewsera.com/news/afghan...kabul-airport/

https://www.tellerreport.com/news/20...H1VuXV2lY.html

Nice deflection,but I believe you referred to Pen bleating?
He was and is mostly concerned about his 68 Afghan staff and yes they will, if they can,get the dogs & cats out,incidentally that would be underfloor. Your comments might appear to some,meant to distract from what you initially said about Pen. You obviously had and have,little knowledge of what he’s done out there and how much he cares about his colleagues.
The classy thing was to perhaps,not to have doubled down on your initial statement. Regarding slots and ramp space,I don’t know the situation, but then again neither do you!
And yes,I do consider it classless.

It departed this afternoon in the direction of Iran.

Deflection? Yes I considered it oafish bleating, almost playground - “I’ll get them to the airport, just you wait and see! Come on - put your fists up” type of stuff.

To which the Defenve Secretary was incredibly restrained and factual in stating that he was just getting on with job of getting people out and saving lives.

Again chill guys… take a deep breath and let it out slowly…


The fact the guy is looking after his staff and families from harm is commendable, I just wish there were more like him, he in his own way reminds me of a modern day Oscar Schindler.

Sheesh!, I've heard it all now!

:p



…….…..

Yes, okay, you got me, I fell for that one :uhoh:

Where do you get this stuff? Reminiscent of Babs Cartland long after her prime! Do tell us more,but make later,when we have much less time.

If this wasn’t for this being such a sad sight, what a cracking image.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....38390d728.jpeg

The POTUS is letting the Taliban tell him what the US is allowed to do.
When Trump made his deal with the Taliban, he also told them that if they didn't keep their promises, the US would rain Hell's Fire on them.
Biden is simply begging them to keep their promises.
:ugh:

Agreed, which is why I asked a while ago would they use drones and hellfires post exit to take out some of the assets.

Biden should be telling them either you allow this evacuation to continue until we are done unimpeded, or we will take out your primary services, power etc and will keep doing it.

Surely the Taliban will have their hands full keeping the city essential services running even under the best of circumstances.
It would obviously be helpful if there was some sign from them to the guys who collect the garbage and keep the phone lines running, but it has not been reported afaik.
Meanwhile, there is no benefit to the US creating an even worse mess as it leaves this disaster.
Telling the Taliban that if you're not nice, we'll hurt the people who fought you does not seem very coherent.