WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The Pentagon was unusually quiet Wednesday, with few officials doling out their usual quotes in the halls and many normally open doors shut to reporters -- leading to speculation that something militarily significant is brewing for Afghanistan or elsewhere.
A reliable intelligence source did indicate to United Press International that "something big" is in the works, but would not elaborate, citing operational security.
Other signs, individually innocuous, that taken together have invited conjecture:
-- U.S. Transportation Command's Pentagon office, the "belly button" for troop movements, held a closed-door meeting Wednesday morning amid press reports that Army combat helicopters may soon be sent to the region.
-- Defense officials have been unusually disciplined in not talking about Operation Enduring Freedom, now in its fourth and apparently most furious day of bombing.
-- A retired Army officer noted lunar light is on the wane until Oct. 16, when the new moon occurs. Low light is especially important if troops, Special Forces or otherwise, are going to be dropped in or operate in Afghanistan.
Wednesday was the first time in three days Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has not personally briefed reporters with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers about the previous day's efforts. Despite being engaged in a military campaign, the Pentagon said it is going back to its peacetime, twice weekly press conferences.
