The helicopter came clattering out of a gap in the mountains yesterday and landed at a brand new airstrip outside this Afghan village, 40 miles north of Kabul - and a team of five US special forces men jumped on.
The five, all wearing civilian clothes, jeans and trainers, and surrounded by Afghan guards, are the first confirmed sighting of any of the 100-plus US special forces soldiers Washington says are operating in the country.
One of the soldiers, in beige trousers and a bomber jacket, waved a large round red disc to guide the helicopter into the strip, laid on farmland outside the village of Golbahar.
The machine was one of three Russian-built Mi17 transport helicopters which the Northern Alliance Interior Minister, Mr Yonus Qanuni, said have been bought by the Americans for use by their commandos.
Newly painted and with working landing lights, it looked light years away from the battered ancient helicopters being used by the Northern Alliance.
This was one of three landings - two helicopter and one of a light plane - on this airstrip yesterday, amid a surge of activity by special forces.
It was impossible to talk to any of the men. As they boarded the helicopter guards in three jeeps surrounded the scene, and one guard chased me away in my car.
In an interview at the weekend, Mr Qanuni said the special forces are here planning a major ammunition supply operation that will see US transport planes bringing hundreds of tonnes of shells in for the Alliance's tanks and artillery.
Talking to these special forces soldiers yesterday was impossible - like other special forces teams who have been spotted in the area around Golbahar in the past week, they were heavily guarded by Northern Alliance troops.
But Mr Qanuni confirmed for The Irish Times that the base will become the hub of a giant US operation to supply the ground offensive planned for the end of the month. This airstrip is tucked away behind some hills 40 km north of Kabul.
Work began on this airstrip three weeks ago with local people in the village reporting that the contract, made with a local firm, paid above average wages, with rumours that it was paid for by the US.
Guards at a disused factory next door said the Americans are also scouting out its huge network of workshops and store houses as a base.
The complex, named Sheerkat, is ideal for the purpose, with high walls, barbed wire and watchtowers. The only part of the place in use is one warehouse used by the World Food Programme to store flour.
From here the imminent ground offensive will be co-ordinated.
All of this comes amid a new hardening of attitudes among the Bush administration.
Last week's carpet bombing by the B-52s a few miles from here was the first sign of this new get-tough policy by Washington.
The US is now giving clear backing and military assistance to the anti-Taliban forces.
Now will come the ground war, with America and Britain keen that the Northern Alliance does the bulk of the fighting.