U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Afghanistan.  His plane was attacked while landing at FOB/COP Shukvani, in Helmand Province. An Afghan drove a stolen vehicle onto the runway as Panetta’s plane was landing.  Panetta was not hurt.  A British soldier was wounded.

There are unconfirmed reports that insurgents are claiming the attack was part of a new offensive they’ve launched in Helmand, in response to the Qur’an burnings, and the recent shooting of women and children in Kandahar Province by U.S. troops.

Another report says U.S. Marines were ordered to disarm before listening to a speech by Panetta: “All I know is, I was told to get the weapons out. Somebody got itchy, that’s all I’ve got to say. Somebody got itchy; we just adjust.”-Sergeant Major Brandon Hall, USMC

U.S. sources say the reason was to maintain uniformity with Afghan forces who are required to disarm in front of U.S. officials.