US down to 2,500 troops each in Afghanistan and Iraq, as ordered by Trump
Jeff LPH 3 sends in word from Military Times that the Trump drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan have finished. We’re now down to the lowest troop levels in either country for the past two decades.
The U.S. military has met its goal of reducing the number of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 in each country by Friday, the Pentagon announced Friday morning, though the reduction in Afghanistan appears to violate a last-minute congressional prohibition.
The drawdown in Afghanistan “brings U.S. forces in the country to their lowest levels since 2001,” said acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller in a media release. “The drawdown of U.S. force levels in Iraq is reflective of the increased capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces.“
Of the Afghanistan drawdown, Miller said: “Today, the United States is closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war and welcoming in an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.
“With a force of 2,500, commanders have what they need to keep America, our people and our interests safe,” he said. “Working alongside our NATO allies and partners, the United States will continue to execute both our counterterrorism mission and the train, advise and assist mission in support of Afghan Security Forces working to secure peace in their country. Continued fulfillment of these two complementary missions seeks to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used to harbor those who seek to bring harm to the United States of America.”
In Iraq, “[w]e have long anticipated that the force level required to support Iraq’s fight against ISIS would decrease as Iraq’s capability to manage the threat from ISIS improves,” said Miller. “Our ability to reduce force levels is evidence of real progress.”
The force reduction in Iraq “is consistent with Operation Inherent Resolve’s transition from major combat operations and does not equate to a change in U.S. policy,” Miller said. “U.S. and Coalition forces remain in Iraq to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. The Government of Iraq and the U.S. Government agree that ISIS remains a threat and that a U.S. and Coalition presence remains vital. “
There will still be “a counterterrorism platform in Iraq to support partner forces with airpower and intelligence,” said Miller. “Most operations in Iraq were already being conducted by our Iraqi partners, enabled by U.S. and Coalition forces. We can continue to provide this support to our Iraqi partners at the reduced U.S. force level.”
Category: Afghanistan, Big Pentagon, Guest Link, Iraq, Trump!
Wekp, I reckon the more we bring home from overseas tar babies, the more we can send to Washington DC to protect the elite “leaders” from the domestic terrorists. The returned soldiers will be dispersed amongst the NG Troops to “leaven up” the formations with combat troops in order to better prepare them to fire on civilians. The Blue Helmets will be issued at Morning Parade 0700 hours Wednesday 20 Jan 2021.
Ironic that this is announced on the 30th Anniversary of the FIRST (ht 2 TXNorsky) start of sending troops into harm’s way in the “Sand Box.”
I guess Biden will just pick a spot on the map to decide where to invade next. Maybe Wyoming.
Ha. Probably not the best place to invade. Wyoming is traditionally distrustful of the feds and would probably have wayyyy too much defending its borders.
Should say “too much fun”. Not enough covfefe this morning.
Liz Cheney represents Wyoming
I think the people up there have softened
To the left ????
Yeah,…no. Liz “Been in Wyoming since 2012” Cheney is about as popular in Wyoming as hoof and mouth disease. She is DONE, but it should make for some interesting town hall meetings over the next two years. Here’s what the Wyoming Republican Party has to say about their soon (well, 2 years from now) ex-rep… Wyoming Republican’s Message to Representative Cheney January 13, 2021 The wind in Wyoming has been horrendous today—with gusts up to 65 miles per hour. That is nothing compared to the whirlwind created by Representative Cheney’s announcement that she would be voting to impeach President Trump, and her subsequent follow-through of doing just that. There has not been a time during our tenure when we have seen this type of an outcry from our fellow Republicans, with the anger and frustration being palpable in the comments we have received. Our telephone has not stopped ringing, our email is filling up, and our website has seen more traffic than at any previous time. The consensus is clear that those who are reaching out to the Party vehemently disagree with Representative Cheney’s decision and actions. Considering the overwhelming interest in this issue the Wyoming Republican Party leadership felt that it was important to share with Representative Cheney the nature of the comments and outcry we have received. By announcing her decision to vote for impeachment Representative Cheney denied President Trump due process; she judged the “evidence” before it was presented and refused to listen to the arguments made. Wyoming voted for the reelection of President Trump by a margin of 70% to 30%. 195,000 Wyomingites voted for President Trump. Representative Cheney is in Washington, DC to represent Wyoming’s interest, not the interest of the beltway elites. President Trump did not incite anyone to riot. Read the transcript of what he said and watch the video. We have watched the leftists and progressives in this country riot, burn, kill, maim, loot and destroy cities and communities for 7 months, often with Democrat leaders egging them on, bailing them out and refusing to condemn their actions. Representative Cheney has aligned… Read more »
Umm, 5JC, I don’t think he knows what Wyoming is, never mind where it is. If you told him it’s on Mars, he’d probably believe you.
Hey, that’s it!! We can invade Mars!! I’m up for that!
I’d prefer ” 0 “, however, I understand ““With a force of 2,500, commanders have what they need to keep America, our people and our interests safe,” he said. “
I am *hopeful* that the part, ” the United States is closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war and welcoming in an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. as well as the part about Iraq…
” “U.S. and Coalition forces remain in Iraq to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. The Government of Iraq and the U.S. Government agree that ISIS remains a threat and that a U.S. and Coalition presence remains vital. “
There will still be “a counterterrorism platform in Iraq to support partner forces with airpower and intelligence,” ring true and aren’t some political bullshit.
Thanks, now, move along.
Not one damn thing in either place worth US lives. Besides, gotta find those 25000 troops for Washington somewhere.
With the Establishment back in charge, expect a new “surge” any day now.
I’ll bet there is at least one poor Signal bastard still in each place.
Somebody gotta say “OUT”.
Signal. First to go, last to know.
Like the Marines at the embassy in Saigon… folk forgot and had to send a helicopter back for ’em.
26, this is PE.
Roger.
Out.
You can be certain the Biden/Harris administration will be starting new wars any day now
Why ????
There is a ton of money to be made with endless COVID relief checks and bailouts
Gosh, Democrats will make sure we make the Afghanistan 20th Year Anniversary yet!
“With a force of 2,500, commanders have what they need to keep America, our people and our interests safe,”
Horseshit. It’s a token force, a political fig leaf to try to convince the gullible that we are actually doing something useful there and avoid the embarrassment of having to admit that “Oops! we wasted twenty years and thousands of lives”.
The only thing keeping our troops “safe” in A’stan is the Taliban’s willingness to leave them alone while they withdraw.
And the fact that we are now providing
air support for them with Isis.
and giving them real-time intel
and arms and other support