More information comes out (as more US troops come home) about American military operations in Afghanistan. The training of US troops was adequate, and their equipment (especially the new protective vests) excellent. While some American troops had problems with the high altitude fighting, most of the troops were able to scramble up and down the hills after the al Qaeda (mostly non-Afghans) and Taliban. The new protective vests use metal plates that add protection from rifle bullets. In the pasts, the vests only protected you from shell fragments and some bullets (those fired from far away or ricochets). Some troops didn't notice they had been hit until after a battle, when they noted a bruise on their chest (and a dent in their protective vest plates). The latest model helmets are also bullet proof, and several dented helmets came back from the battle to prove it. Documents captured from dead al Qaeda noted that the enemy had developed some respect for American troops, noting that they are relentless and professional. The fact that al Qaeda and Taliban have not been able to stand up to US troops sort of proves that.
