The airport was captured by an air insertion coinciding with a rapid overland push from troops based at Camp Rhino.

Camp Rhino was in use from 26 November 2001 to 1 January 2002.

Camp Rhino also served as a detention facility for the American Taliban John Walker.

It would later become known as Camp Rhino.

He was taken to Camp Rhino on December 7, 2001, the bullet still within his thigh.

At Camp Rhino, he was given oxycodone/paracetamol for pain and Valium.

He was flown from Camp Rhino on Friday after a week in custody here.

Chenelly documented the initial seizing of Camp Rhino, which was a desert outpost believed to have been built for use as a drug distribution hub.

The marines had come from Camp Rhino, their base southwest of Kandahar, and were expected to move many operations to the airport.

The marines' base here, known as Camp Rhino, is an ideal place because of its remote location and unlimited space for new holding pens.