>> have u.s. troops begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? >> we have begun retrograding. >> can you say anything about the number who have left? >> no, i cannot. >> and general taylor, for you, please, the numbers of military aircraft who have left are relatively consistent with where they've been for several days, but the number of passengers is down from where it was. does that mean that the u.s. is now starting to move some equipment, military equipment on those or planes are going out not full? >> as we've said, you know, our mission to continuing evacuating those as required and to meet the mission requirement by august 31st, is what the commanders are executing. >> does that mean you're start to go take some equipment out on the aircraft or do you not have enough passengers-- >> there is equipment leaving on those flights that was originally planned. >> and if i could ask one more. since-- have there been any attacks that can be talked about how the taliban had thwarted