at 17:50, the taliban closed in to sper kunday, almost completing their pincer movement. under the critical circumstances, thunderbolts and kiowas started close air support, in spite of the entanglement of friendly and enemy troops. air operations lasted for one hour, during which the remnants of "carmin 2" were able to reach the village. some french soldiers complained about friendly fire incidents, either from us aircraft or from ana elements; these were later denied by french military authorities. two us uh-60 black hawk helicopters then attempted to land to evacuate wounded, but were prevented by taliban fire.