U.S. military base attacked; Air Force retaliates

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- U.S. Air Force planes fired at a site in eastern Afghanistan early Sunday after a military outpost was attacked with rockets and mortars, a military spokesman said.

Two A-10 aircraft were called in for air support after three rockets were fired at an observation post outside a U.S. special operations base in Kunar province, said Col. Roger King at the U.S. military headquarters in Bagram.

Two of the three rockets exploded, the closest landing about 110 yards from the observation post, King said. It was not known how many mortars the attackers also fired.

The A-10s fired seven rockets and 950 rounds from the Gatling gun on the nose of the aircraft, King said. He said there were no casualties.

A patrol sent out to the site of the attack did not find any people. King did not say if any equipment or ammunition was found.

The observation post is about a quarter of a mile from the special operations base. Rockets are often fired at the outposts, usually landing far off target.