"The helicopters are the most expensive item, but
the ability of the Taliban to operate and maintain them without outside
help is modest."
"The absence of U.S. logistical support
will lead to a steady decay in the state of the residual Afghan
military arsenal. Even small arms will gradually become unusable if not
properly maintained."
"MRAPs are real gas-guzzlers, so their value in a
country where fuel supplies are scarce and terrorist attacks have
largely ceased is doubtful."
Dr. Loren Thompson, military analyst, Lexington Institute think-tank
"I would tell you that they can inspect all they want. They can look at them, they can walk around, but they can't fly them." "They
can't operate them. We made sure to demilitarize - to make unusable all
the gear that is at the airport,"
"The only thing we left
operable are a couple of fire trucks and forklifts so that the airport
can remain more operational going forward."
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby
"They'll never be able to be operated by anyone."
"Most of them were
non-mission capable, to begin with, but certainly they'll never be able
to be flown again."
Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command
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