Rocket attack misses U.S. base in Afghanistan

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- U.S. troops reported an unusual daytime rocket attack on one of their outposts in eastern Afghanistan, the military said Tuesday. The rocket missed the base, and there were no injuries.

Special forces at the Chapman Army airfield near Khost spotted the rocket flying toward them at about 10 a.m. Monday, but it landed west of the base, said Col. Roger King. Troops could not pinpoint the launch site.

U.S. bases have been attacked frequently with rockets or gunfire, but normally during the night, King said. He said he did not believe the daytime attack meant enemy forces were becoming bolder.

On Sunday, three Afghans reported a cache of three U.S.-made, 2.75-inch rockets near the town of Shkin. King said the type had not been used by U.S. forces since the early 1990s, and it was unclear where they came from.

Also Monday, U.S. troops began training a fifth battalion of 651 recruits for the Afghan National Army. French soldiers began signing up recruits for a sixth battalion that they will train.