U.S. to ‘Focus’ Support in Afghanistan, Iraq as Drawdown Continues
Dec. 10, 2020 | By Brian W. Everstine
The U.S. military is on pace to meet the Jan. 15 deadline to withdraw forces from Afghanistan and Iraq, and though the head of U.S. Central Command said American forces can still meet their main goals, the “margins will be less†because of the smaller footprint.
President Donald J. Trump ordered the Pentagon to draw down to 2,500 forces each in the two countries, and CENTCOM boss Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. said Dec. 10 that it will be “no trouble†to reach that level.
In Afghanistan, the remaining troops will be able to conduct counter terrorism operations, if necessary, while also supporting Afghan forces with surveillance and air strikes. But because of the reduction in forces, down from about 4,000 when the order was made, the military will have to “be very careful and focused on when to do it,†McKenzie said during a virtual Defense One event.
https://www.airforcemag.com/u-s-to-focus-support-in-afghanistan-iraq-as-drawdown-continues/
