In Afghanistan gli americani riforniscono le loro truppe con lanci di paracadute. Troppo pericoloso rifornirli per via di terra.

U.S. forces have sharply increased the number of airdrop supply missions in Afghanistan in the past three years, as roads have become more dangerous and allied troops have established remote outposts.

The number of airdrops has increased to 800 this year from 99 in 2005, according to Central Command's air operations center. Planes dropped 15 million pounds of cargo this year, nearly double last year's load of 8.2 million pounds.

The statistics include missions throughout Central Command's region but mostly refer to airdrops in Afghanistan.

Dropping supplies by air means fewer convoys on the ground.

"We're doing it because it saves lives," said Air Force Gen. …