Despite rocket attacks, roadside bombs and ambushes, Danish soldiers can only rely on air support on two-thirds of the operations in which they are needed, according to JydskeVestkysten.

More support
The report quotes Col. Palle Mørkøre, the operational CO at Kandahar Airfield as saying that fighter and helicopter support is limited, and belies claims by desk-bound Danish military personnel that there is no need for more fighter support in Afghanistan.

Col. Mørkøre says that a recent NATO meeting heard that there is only 75 percent of the air support necessary.

Extra danger
The lack of full air support means that infantry has to be much more careful in pushing forward, or has to postpone anti-Taliban operations and that up to an hour can go by before air support can relieve soldiers under attack.

“That is not what is needed given the methods that the Taliban now use,” says Col. Mørkøre.