Afghanistan - Helmand

Panetta Is Safe After Breach Near His Plane at Afghan Base

Pool photo by Scott Olson

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived at Forward Operating Base Shukvani, Afghanistan, on Wednesday.

By ELISABETH BUMILLER

Published: March 14, 2012

KABUL, Afghanistan — A tense visit to Afghanistan by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta got off to an unscripted start when a stolen truck sped onto a runway ramp at the British military airfield as his plane was landing. Mr. Panetta was unhurt, but Pentagon officials said the Afghan driver emerged from the vehicle in flames.


Glad I'm not going to Helman!