"carmin 2" requested reinforcements at 15:52, and air support at 16:10. two f-15 fighters that were on alert were guided by the us special forces team, arriving a few minutes later. anticipating nato use of air power, the taliban closed in to french positions, preventing the f-15s from firing. 10 minutes later, a-10 thunderbolts arrived but also had to hold their fire to avoid friendly fire casualties. the beleaguered paratroopers were able to use hand signals to communicate with the craft.