The article said the air craft were "transport aircraft", C130s, on a "reconnaisance mission". No mention of the term RC130, which would most likely be the real term. For the C130s to be [i]taking off[/i] and see muzzle flashes, Muslims with guns would have to be quite close to the departure end of the runway. What would warrant substantial attention from the nice US Marines in the area. No mention of that was made in the article.
And what kind of reconnaissance aircraft gets surprised in this manner?
Perhaps I am being silly and ignorant, but there certainly are questions.