1.   But U.S. military officials in Washington said U.S.helicopters are using the two remote bases to ferry commandos into Afghanistan for quick strikes and intelligence gathering.

2.   But U.S. military officials in Washington said U.S. helicopters are using the two remote bases to ferry commandos into Afghanistan for quick strikes and intelligence gathering.

3.   But it was not clear whether the Israeli aircraft was ferrying commandos on a mission or merely providing a show of force.

4.   But it was not clear whether the Israeli choppers were ferrying commandos on a mission or merely providing a show of force.

5.   But it was not clear whether the Israeli aircraft were ferrying commandos on a mission or merely providing a show of force.

6.   Two of the helicopters that ferried the commandos into battle were damaged by rebel fire but managed to return to their base, the officials said.