Afghan Caves Prove Daunting For U.S.

The extensive al-Qaeda training complex that U.S. warplanes have pounded since Jan. 3 is one of dozens in dry, cave-riddled valleys of southeastern Afghanistan where groups of fighters might be hiding, a senior Pentagon official said Monday.

Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there are so many of the complexes -- not simply cave hideaways but compounds with large, above-ground training camps -- that the work is overwhelming the small number of special-operations soldiers locating them and calling in airstrikes.

Source: Orlando Sentinel