Behind America's Air Fight In Afghanistan

CBS Evening News: Firsthand Look From The Aircraft Carrier That Keeps U.S. Fighter Jets On Patrol 24/7

(CBS)  As U.S. troops exit Iraq, some will be re-deployed to Afghanistan. A few thousand arrive in January. And they'll be put right to work battling the resurgent Taliban. Early Show anchor Harry Smith got a first-hand look at the war on terror from on-board the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea. From there, plane after plane head north to Afghanistan, where U.S. and allied forces have seen a marked increase in Taliban and al Qaeda activity this year.

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For troops on the ground in Afghanistan, it is no small comfort that U.S. fighter jets are on patrol nearby around the clock. Pilots from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt have flown more than 700 missions there in just the last month.

"Because of the unusual terrain, the weather conditions, the large size of the country, air cover is really a requirement," said the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt's captain Ladd Wheeler. "And we provide that."

Enemy tactics in Afghanistan have begun to look eerily familiar to the recent past in Iraq: suicide attacks and roadside bombs.

The Taliban and al Qaeda have beefed up their forces.

And as the number of attacks has risen, so too have the number of U.S and allied casualties.

In fact, more troops have died in Afghanistan - 65 - in the last three months than in Iraq, where 53 died.

Some have suggested Afghanistan is the forgotten front in the war on terror. President elect Barack Obama has vowed to increase the number of forces.

It looks like they can't arrive soon enough.

In years past with the arrival of winter, enemy activity has slowed considerably. But, Taliban leaders have already warned it won't be that way this year.

[tincup356]

I wonder why the media doesn''t broadcast the fact that George Bush and his father both sit on the board of directors of a company that controls 85 % of the pentagons private security budget...last year The Carlyle Group profited 6 billion dollars. The same Carlyle Group should be brought to trial for treason,for profiting off of dead American soldiers.

[tincup356]

Both wars are lies to break this country and by looking at things....it''s doing a pretty good job.Mission almost accomplished George.Now all you have to do is dodge war crimes charges.