we sent them 20 years ago. I doubt many of them are operable anymore. From what I've read, those old units had internal batteries to operate the IR guidance system and those batteries are probably too weak to function anymore. The Stingers were delivered in sealed units and not designed for field maintenance. That doesn't necessarily mean that no one could open one to replace the battery but it does mean the chances of getting one to work properly afterwards probably aren't very good.

The Taliban are said to have some newer SA-7, SA-12, and SA-16 missiles. Those are a concern but still not my biggest one when it comes to helicopter operations. No, I'm more worried about all of those RPGs I see people carrying around over there. The Vietnamese shot down a LOT of our helicopters using RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades). You have to wait until the helicopter is in pretty close and is going slow (hovering or landing) but any RPG will rip a helicopter to shreds. After all, they're anti-tank devices capable of penetrating several inches of armor.