How do the US troops get out of Afghanistan?

[kentuck]

Do they just get on a plane and fly out?

Will they be permitted to do that?

Will the Taliban or the terrorists attempt to stop them?

It was reported on BBC last night that there were loud explosions going off near the airport? The reporter thought it might be the Americans setting off bang grenades or destroying some equipment ?

Everyone will breathe much better when the troops are out of that trap. The longer they are there, the more likely there will be a disaster.

It is quite a gamble to trust the Taliban to protect the troops on their withdrawal.

[MineralMan]

1. Yes. The last planes to leave will take the remaining troops out.

[underpants]

3. They must be quartering somewhere in the airport I'd think

Maybe some (command) were staying at the hotel that got hit.

???

[Sympthsical]

2. It's in the Taliban's interests to let American troops leave

We leave, they win. It's all upside for them.

Once it's decided the operation is over, the remaining troops take flights out. The Taliban will then completely take over the airport.

ISIS is a different story. They want the chaos.

[Irish_Dem]

4. I would think that the US troop transport aircraft will need US military cover to take off safely.

My father used to fly these huge Cargo planes, moving troops in and out of a war zone.
There were armed personnel on the ground. And all of the flight crew was armed as well with guns in holsters.

[Klaralven]

5. When the last planes leave, there won't be US troops on the ground for cover

They'll be in the planes.

Any cover will have to be provided by the Taliban.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Taliban ground support is unreliable. The US cargo planes can use US air support.

US military air support can protect a plane on the ground as it is taking off.
The use of ground attack aircraft as well as high altitude planes which can deliver precise munitions.

The US Air Force has been taking off and landing in war zones for a long time now with and without ground troop support.

[Klaralven]

9. All you need to do is put anti-aircraft guns in a building at the end of the runway

They could shoot down the last plane as it takes off before air support could react.

[greenjar_01]

6. Ooooof

[sarisataka]

7. This isn't their first rodeo

US troops have had to evac from a hot LZ before