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Striking Back

By Ritu Upadhyay

On October 7, the U.S. flexed its military muscle. Fighter planes roared into the air and bombed targets in Afghanistan. Seventeen days after terrorist attacks shocked America, the United States was striking back at terrorism. The strikes continued throughout the week.

A crew member readies an F-14A Tomcat plane for upcoming flight operations on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise.

President George W. Bush ordered the attacks after Afghanistan's rulers, the Taliban, refused to meet demands to hand over Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden is the main suspect in the attacks on the U.S.

"We are a peaceful nation, but the only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it," said Bush. Four days after Operation Enduring Freedom began, Bush gave the Taliban a second chance, saying he would "reconsider" the attacks on Afghanistan if its rulers handed over bin Laden and his accomplices.

The U.S. Mission
The first phase of the U.S. attack focused on destroying terrorist training camps and Taliban command centers. The U.S. hopes to break apart bin Laden's network and force out the rulers who have been protecting bin Laden and his fellow terrorists.

According to U.S. officials, the air strikes were successful in wiping out Taliban military posts, airports and communication centers. Much of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, has been destroyed. U.S. ground troops are already in position to enter Afghanistan. Their mission will be to capture bin Laden.

The horror of September 11 united much of the world against terrorism. "Sometimes to safeguard peace, we have to fight," said British Prime Minister Tony Blair. British troops have been sent to the region to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Aid for the Innocent
President Bush has said that the Afghan people are not the enemy. Last week, U.S. planes started dropping aid packages to help civilians. Bush announced the creation of a fund for Afghan children. He called on all American kids to help the needy children of Afghanistan by donating a dollar. (If you'd like to join the effort, send a dollar to: America's Fund for Afghan Children, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., 20509-1600.)

The U.S. hopes that a more stable and less abusive government will take over Afghanistan from the Taliban. To that end, U.S. forces are working with the Northern Alliance, a group of Afghan fighters that controls a small part of northern Afghanistan. They have provided information and guidance. But American defense officials warn that the Taliban is tough. The fighting could continue for many months.

Islamic countries are also giving key support to the U.S. Neighboring Pakistan allowed U.S. military planes to land inside its borders. The move prompted anti-American demonstrations in Pakistan's major cities.

Safety at Home
The battle against terrorism continues to be waged at home. Security throughout the country has been beefed up. As Tom Ridge, who was sworn in last week as the head of the Office of Homeland Security, told TFK's kid reporter Amanda Lanzillo, "We live in a country that is very open, very democratic and very safe. Those who try to take away our freedoms will not succeed."

Last Thursday marked the one-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Memorial services were held in New York City and Washington, D.C. Said President Bush in Washington: "One month after great suffering and sorrow, America is strong and determined. We are ready for the challenges ahead."

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Special Delivery

Every night since the attacks began, U.S. planes have dropped 37,000 aid packets into Afghanistan.

Each two-pound package contains a day's worth of food. The packages include such items as beans and potatoes, cookies, fruit bars, fruit pastries, peanut butter and jam. They do not contain meat, because Muslims can only eat certain types of meat.

Aid boxes are rolled out the rear of planes. As the boxes fall, a rip cord tears open each box and scatters the packages. Each package has plastic wings, so it flutters gently to the ground. The bright yellow packages can be easily spotted.

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