Gates on Afghanistan
On December 3, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates went before the the House Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations committees to talk about President Obama’s change in strategy in Afghanistan. It may not be that big of a change (depending on who you ask), but here’s how Gates put it.
“We cannot defeat al-Qaida and its toxic ideology without improving and stabilizing the security situation in Afghanistan,” he said. “The president’s decision offers the best possibility to decisively change the momentum in Afghanistan, and fundamentally alter the strategic equation in Pakistan and Central Asia – all necessary to protect the United States, our allies and our vital interests.
“As always, the heaviest burden will fall on the men and women who have volunteered and re-volunteered to serve their country in uniform, and I know they will be uppermost in our minds and prayers as we take on this arduous but vitally necessary mission.”
This sounds like a good thing. Sometimes (especially in a long way like the one in Afghanistan), people forget about the military, especially during the holidays. It’s going to be interesting to see if this administration can have any more success in Afghanistan. The only thing that’s really important to me is that the government doesn’t forget the soldiers – those on the front lines that are living in hell so we can live in the best nation on the planet.
And that goes for all my readers too – don’t ever forget the troops, what they’re going through over there. Afghanistan is not over yet. There’s still danger. That doesn’t mean we’re not winning. It’s just going slow so we do it right. That’s the important thing. Safety of our troops while they’re helping other countries.
Sgt. Stryker out.
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C-130 Landing Gear Inspection
Crew chiefs from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ensure the landing gear is working properly after performing maintenance on the C-130 Hercules, Dec. 7. During an inspection on the aircraft the Airmen found a problem with the landing gear which they immediately fixed to keep the aircraft on time for future missions. The Airmen are deployed from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing. Photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke
Operation Enduring Freedom
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, commander NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, center, listens to an Afghan army soldier as he discusses the training he has received while attending the Basic Army Warrior Course held at Kabul Military Training Center. Caldwell toured the training center, based in Kabul Dec. 7, 2009, in order to ascertain the materials needed to achieve operational goals. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class David R. Quillen
Joint Security Forces Search for Taliban Commander
Members of the joint security force in pursuit of a Taliban commander, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Dec. 2, 2009. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Army Spc. Mark Salazar)
Nimitz Hornets Receive Fuel Over Afghanistan
F/A-18F Super Hornets assigned to the “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, refuel from an Air Force KC-10 Extender while an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron 14 flies starboard observation position on station over Afghanistan. The strike fighter squadrons are part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group on a deployment to the region.