Now more than ever,the US should not waver on Afghanistan,General John Campbell,US Army,outgoing commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan,told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week at the Capitol.The situation is more dynamic.As of last week,of 407 district centres,8 of them,or 2%,are under insurgent control;another 18,or 4%,are under insurgent influence.Often these district centres are in remote or sparsely populated areas that security forces are not able to access very often in force.Additionally,at any given time,there may be up to 94 district centres,or 23%,that we view as at risk.*
The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces have proven resilient,developing into a modern security force.The foundation has been laid.The ANDSF fought for the very survival of their country and held firm;however,the Afghan shortfall will persist beyond 2016.Capability gaps still exist in the fixed and rotary winged aviation;combined arms operations;intelligence collection,dissemination and maintenance;and close-air support.At least 70% of the problems result from poor leadership.ANDSF have not consolidated significant gains of their own;nor defeated the insurgency across Afghanistan.Suffice it to say,the performance this year was uneven.Ultimately,Afghanistan has not achieved an enduring level of security and stability that justifies a reduction of our support in 2016,GEN Campbell concluded in his testimony to the SASC in Washington.*
According to President Barack Obama's plan,the US troop level in Afghanistan is to remain at 9800 for most of 2016;then be decreased to 5500.Most of the 5500 would be for the counterterrorism mission,rather than the train,advise and assist mission.NATO countries have expressed their intention to continue participating in the alliance's Resolute Support Mission there for the remainder of this year.
Showing posts with label General John Campbell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General John Campbell. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Afghan War (Revised and Updated):NATO Special Forces Sent In as Taliban Launch Fierce Attacks - US Airmen killed and wounded
A motorcycle packed with explosives sped up to a joint US-Afghan patrol moving through a village near Bagram Air Base in Parwan Province,Afghanistan and was detonated,killing six US Airmen and wounding two others,as well as a contractor.The Airmen were serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,protecting the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram.Among the service members killed was Air National Guard Technical Sergeant Joesph Lemm,45,a 15-year veteran of the New York City Police Department who was recently promoted to Detective on the Bronx Warrants Squad and was on his third combat tour.TSGT Lemm and one of the other Airmen,Staff Sergeant Louis M. Bonacasa,31,were with the 105th Security Forces Squadron,Stewart Air National Guard Base,New York.The other four Airmen were with various units of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.Their bodies were received in a dignified manner at Dover Air Force Base,Delaware on Wednesday by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the vehicle-borne IED attack in an email to the Associated Press.It brings to ten the number of US troops killed in action in Afghanistan this year.Ten others died in non-hostile incidents.*
At the same time as their VBIED attack in the north,the Taliban militants were on the rampage in Helmand Province,thier traditional stronghold in the south of the country,capturing most of the strategic Sangin district.The Taliban have captured or are contesting 12 of Helmand's 14 districts.This fighting season has seen them spreading their offensives over a broad geographic area.They have not paused for a winter break as of yet,and the Pentagon reports that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are mounting an uneven response.A resilient Taliban insurgency remains an enduring threat to US,coalition and Afghan forces,as well as the Afghan people,the Pentagon said.
About 100-200 ANDSF were reportedly surrounded in Sangin and taking RPG fire as they ran out of ammunition and supplies.In response to this imminent collapse of Sangin and indeed Helmand itself,a small number of NATO Special Operations Forces have been sent in to advise and assist the ANDSF on the ground.Based at Camp Shorabak about 80 km from Sangin,British and US SOFs are reportedly participating in the operation,and British Apache helicopters have been seen in the air.About 65% of Helmand is currently under Taliban control,said Helmand Provincial Council chief Mohammed Kareen Atal.More than 2,000 ANDSF have been killed in Helmand this year,he added.*
The US Army's been around for 240 years,pointed out General John Campbell,commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan;the Afghan Army's been around for seven years.We're trying to build an airplane in flight.*
It's a tough fight,agreed US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter,who was on a visit to Afghanistan last week,and it's far from over.
Update:ANDSF claim they have liberated their surrounded colleagues with reinforcements and recaptured the government buildings in Sangin district centre.Fighting continued in other areas of Helmand,however.
Update 2:Heavy fighting in the Sangin area flared up again and raged into Saturday,claiming the lives of 21 ANDSF troops despite two US air strikes having been called in.It wasn't enough,ANDSF members complained.As well,they were critical of their leadership.
For his part,Afghan Defence Minister Mahmood Stanekzai criticised NATO for leaving too soon when it ended its combat operations and transitioned to the Resolute Support Mission in 2014.We were overstretched,he said,but I think we will overcome.The root of the problem is,we need more enablers,training and equipment.The right kind of support will enable us to do the job.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the vehicle-borne IED attack in an email to the Associated Press.It brings to ten the number of US troops killed in action in Afghanistan this year.Ten others died in non-hostile incidents.*
At the same time as their VBIED attack in the north,the Taliban militants were on the rampage in Helmand Province,thier traditional stronghold in the south of the country,capturing most of the strategic Sangin district.The Taliban have captured or are contesting 12 of Helmand's 14 districts.This fighting season has seen them spreading their offensives over a broad geographic area.They have not paused for a winter break as of yet,and the Pentagon reports that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are mounting an uneven response.A resilient Taliban insurgency remains an enduring threat to US,coalition and Afghan forces,as well as the Afghan people,the Pentagon said.
About 100-200 ANDSF were reportedly surrounded in Sangin and taking RPG fire as they ran out of ammunition and supplies.In response to this imminent collapse of Sangin and indeed Helmand itself,a small number of NATO Special Operations Forces have been sent in to advise and assist the ANDSF on the ground.Based at Camp Shorabak about 80 km from Sangin,British and US SOFs are reportedly participating in the operation,and British Apache helicopters have been seen in the air.About 65% of Helmand is currently under Taliban control,said Helmand Provincial Council chief Mohammed Kareen Atal.More than 2,000 ANDSF have been killed in Helmand this year,he added.*
The US Army's been around for 240 years,pointed out General John Campbell,commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan;the Afghan Army's been around for seven years.We're trying to build an airplane in flight.*
It's a tough fight,agreed US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter,who was on a visit to Afghanistan last week,and it's far from over.
Update:ANDSF claim they have liberated their surrounded colleagues with reinforcements and recaptured the government buildings in Sangin district centre.Fighting continued in other areas of Helmand,however.
Update 2:Heavy fighting in the Sangin area flared up again and raged into Saturday,claiming the lives of 21 ANDSF troops despite two US air strikes having been called in.It wasn't enough,ANDSF members complained.As well,they were critical of their leadership.
For his part,Afghan Defence Minister Mahmood Stanekzai criticised NATO for leaving too soon when it ended its combat operations and transitioned to the Resolute Support Mission in 2014.We were overstretched,he said,but I think we will overcome.The root of the problem is,we need more enablers,training and equipment.The right kind of support will enable us to do the job.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Afghan War:General Recommends Against President's Plan
General John F. Campbell,US Army,commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan,testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today in one of his periodic briefings on the war to US lawmakers.Soon the Obama administration must decide whether to stick to the President's current plan of a drastically reduced US military presence after 2016 or not.
Based on conditions on the ground,I do believe we have to provide our senior leadership with options different from the current plan-absolutely,GEN Campbell said.The courses of action I have provided provide options to adjust that.We're not going to put options forward that wouldn't lead to success.Presence means influence.*
The Afghans and coalition were surprised when the Taliban were able to take Kunduz.They were able to come in and take over from within the city.Mostly police were defending Kunduz when the Taliban attacked.There are small isolated pockets that continue to fight.I don't think the Taliban intended to stay.They melted away when the Afghan National Army arrived.*
Logistics and sustainment are hard for the Afghan National Army-they are hard even for the US Army.As for their air force,they have two functioning Mi-35 attack helicopters.They have several Mi-17 helicopters.Close air support helicopters are a key gap.We got a late start on their air force.*
To conduct counterterrorism effectively,it would have to be outside of Kabul,not from the US embassy.The current plan reduces the US military presence to 1,000 troops based at the embassy in Kabul by the end of 2016.*
I do not see the same ethnic infighting I saw in Iraq.In Northern Helmand Province,the ANDSF had some issues,but they took Musa Qala and Kunduz back.Afghans are fighters,and,sir,they're warriors.Without a doubt,they deserve US and NATO support.*
We knew this fighting season was going to be tough because this was going to be the first year the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces were on their own.The ADNSF actually started the fighting season in February.There was no lull.The ANDSF didn't have time to regroup over the winter as they previously had.*
Up in Nangarhar Province,we've see the rise of Daesh (the Arab term for ISIL).They want to expand into Khorasan Province and set up Jalalabad as their capital.You see a lot of the TTP,the Pakistani Taliban,go over to Daesh,as well as disaffected Afghan Taliban members.It's a change of tee shirt.Iran is providing money and weapons to the Taliban-mostly in the West and Herat area-to fight Daesh.*
I am comfortable with the resources I have to provide force protection for the US and NATO forces I have.*
The Haqqani Network faction of the Taliban in Pakistan is responsible for the VBIEDs,or vehicle-borne IEDs-as well as the suicide vests and attacks on civilians.We've got to continue to keep the pressure on Pakistan to stop them,GEN Campbell told the senators.*
Based on conditions on the ground,I do believe we have to provide our senior leadership with options different from the current plan-absolutely,GEN Campbell said.The courses of action I have provided provide options to adjust that.We're not going to put options forward that wouldn't lead to success.Presence means influence.*
The Afghans and coalition were surprised when the Taliban were able to take Kunduz.They were able to come in and take over from within the city.Mostly police were defending Kunduz when the Taliban attacked.There are small isolated pockets that continue to fight.I don't think the Taliban intended to stay.They melted away when the Afghan National Army arrived.*
Logistics and sustainment are hard for the Afghan National Army-they are hard even for the US Army.As for their air force,they have two functioning Mi-35 attack helicopters.They have several Mi-17 helicopters.Close air support helicopters are a key gap.We got a late start on their air force.*
To conduct counterterrorism effectively,it would have to be outside of Kabul,not from the US embassy.The current plan reduces the US military presence to 1,000 troops based at the embassy in Kabul by the end of 2016.*
I do not see the same ethnic infighting I saw in Iraq.In Northern Helmand Province,the ANDSF had some issues,but they took Musa Qala and Kunduz back.Afghans are fighters,and,sir,they're warriors.Without a doubt,they deserve US and NATO support.*
We knew this fighting season was going to be tough because this was going to be the first year the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces were on their own.The ADNSF actually started the fighting season in February.There was no lull.The ANDSF didn't have time to regroup over the winter as they previously had.*
Up in Nangarhar Province,we've see the rise of Daesh (the Arab term for ISIL).They want to expand into Khorasan Province and set up Jalalabad as their capital.You see a lot of the TTP,the Pakistani Taliban,go over to Daesh,as well as disaffected Afghan Taliban members.It's a change of tee shirt.Iran is providing money and weapons to the Taliban-mostly in the West and Herat area-to fight Daesh.*
I am comfortable with the resources I have to provide force protection for the US and NATO forces I have.*
The Haqqani Network faction of the Taliban in Pakistan is responsible for the VBIEDs,or vehicle-borne IEDs-as well as the suicide vests and attacks on civilians.We've got to continue to keep the pressure on Pakistan to stop them,GEN Campbell told the senators.*
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
How Much Does ISIL Threaten Afghanistan?-plus where the A-29 aircraft fits in
We have seen some ISIL recruiting in different parts of the country,General John Campbell,US Army,operations commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan,told the House Armed Services Committee.We have seen some night letter drops by ISIL.The dynamics in Afghanistan are not the same as in Iraq.We will see it and we will continue to monitor it,and we have a strategy for the short,medium and long-term.The senior leadership in the Afghan army and police have told me that they will not let ISIL do what they did in Iraq and Syria.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to make sure his intelligence forces are keeping a close watch.He gets several security updates a day.I think they view ISIL as a potential threat and make sure that they have a strategy.Intel drives ops,and that's what we try to instil in our Afghan partners.Intel is one of the eight essential functions that we continue to build at all the ministry levels.I take a look at the conditions on the ground.I do believe the best thing we can do is continue to build their close air support and special forces.
Less than 10% of the Afghan people embrace the Taliban militants.The people are plain and simple just tired of this,of the Taliban and what they represent.That's different from the way it was just a few years ago.*
Asked by Representative Jackie Walorski,R-Indiana,what the Plan B was,the plan for if things go awry in Afghanistan,GEN Campbell requested to reply in a closed session or by letter.*
If things go awry,GEN Campbell continued in open session,our plan for re-engagement,our goal really is to build the Afghan capacity.The Taliban and their message is not having any traction with the Afghan people.It's time for the Taliban to become part of the process.I think that's really where we're going with the Taliban.
The first thing I always get asked for is close air support.Once we get their close air,intel,sustainment and medical,I'd feel better.On my Priority Intelligence Requirements,I said I need to know more about ISIL,and that's why I made it a PIR.It could grow very rapidly.It is a nascent organisation.It grew very quickly in Iraq and Syria.It has the potential to jump developmental stages.
I want to make sure what assurances I have that released detainees will not attack our forces again.I want to be tied in with that.Eighty-five percent of the people in Kabul feel comfortable with a coalition presence,and want to have it around.The Afghans do have indirect fire-they have mortars and Howitzers,but they're looking forward to the A-29 aircraft.*
The A-29 Super Tucano Embraer EMB 314 turboprop is for light attack,counter-insurgency,close air support and reconnaissance in low threat environments,as well as being for advanced training.It is designed for austere environments with conditions such as high temperatures and humidity in extremely rugged terrain.The popular aircraft is highly maneuverable,has a low heat signature,fourth generation avionics and weapons systems to deliver precision guided munitions.With a speed of 368.47 miles per hour and a range of 2995 miles,it is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil,Columbia,Chile,Indonesia and the Philippines.The US Air Force has ordered 20 of them for training and equipping the Afghan air force.The first of the Tucanos arrived at Moody Air Force Base,Georgia on 26 September 2014.A few more will be delivered from December 2015 into 2016;but most will arrive from 2017-18,according to GEN Campbell.They will replace the Afghans' Mi-35 helicopters and expand their mission sets.A total of 30 Afghan pilots and 90 maintainers will be trained at Moody AFB with the assistance of contract personnel from Sierra Nevada Corporation.*
The complexity of the world we live in is a generational piece that we will have long after you and I have left,GEN Campbell reflected.I do see Afghanistan as a place that can be the bright spot for very little continued investment.Afghanistan can be the shining light of Central Asia.For every suicide vest that goes off in Kabul,there are 10 more that are stopped.*
Embraer SA (ERJ)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to make sure his intelligence forces are keeping a close watch.He gets several security updates a day.I think they view ISIL as a potential threat and make sure that they have a strategy.Intel drives ops,and that's what we try to instil in our Afghan partners.Intel is one of the eight essential functions that we continue to build at all the ministry levels.I take a look at the conditions on the ground.I do believe the best thing we can do is continue to build their close air support and special forces.
Less than 10% of the Afghan people embrace the Taliban militants.The people are plain and simple just tired of this,of the Taliban and what they represent.That's different from the way it was just a few years ago.*
Asked by Representative Jackie Walorski,R-Indiana,what the Plan B was,the plan for if things go awry in Afghanistan,GEN Campbell requested to reply in a closed session or by letter.*
If things go awry,GEN Campbell continued in open session,our plan for re-engagement,our goal really is to build the Afghan capacity.The Taliban and their message is not having any traction with the Afghan people.It's time for the Taliban to become part of the process.I think that's really where we're going with the Taliban.
The first thing I always get asked for is close air support.Once we get their close air,intel,sustainment and medical,I'd feel better.On my Priority Intelligence Requirements,I said I need to know more about ISIL,and that's why I made it a PIR.It could grow very rapidly.It is a nascent organisation.It grew very quickly in Iraq and Syria.It has the potential to jump developmental stages.
I want to make sure what assurances I have that released detainees will not attack our forces again.I want to be tied in with that.Eighty-five percent of the people in Kabul feel comfortable with a coalition presence,and want to have it around.The Afghans do have indirect fire-they have mortars and Howitzers,but they're looking forward to the A-29 aircraft.*
The A-29 Super Tucano Embraer EMB 314 turboprop is for light attack,counter-insurgency,close air support and reconnaissance in low threat environments,as well as being for advanced training.It is designed for austere environments with conditions such as high temperatures and humidity in extremely rugged terrain.The popular aircraft is highly maneuverable,has a low heat signature,fourth generation avionics and weapons systems to deliver precision guided munitions.With a speed of 368.47 miles per hour and a range of 2995 miles,it is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil,Columbia,Chile,Indonesia and the Philippines.The US Air Force has ordered 20 of them for training and equipping the Afghan air force.The first of the Tucanos arrived at Moody Air Force Base,Georgia on 26 September 2014.A few more will be delivered from December 2015 into 2016;but most will arrive from 2017-18,according to GEN Campbell.They will replace the Afghans' Mi-35 helicopters and expand their mission sets.A total of 30 Afghan pilots and 90 maintainers will be trained at Moody AFB with the assistance of contract personnel from Sierra Nevada Corporation.*
The complexity of the world we live in is a generational piece that we will have long after you and I have left,GEN Campbell reflected.I do see Afghanistan as a place that can be the bright spot for very little continued investment.Afghanistan can be the shining light of Central Asia.For every suicide vest that goes off in Kabul,there are 10 more that are stopped.*
Embraer SA (ERJ)
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Afghanistan:US Counterterrorism Combat Will Continue;Air Strike in Somalia
On Sunday,28 December,Operation Enduring Freedom ended after 13 years of the Afghan War that cost the lives of more than 2,000 US troops.Some 10,800 US troops will remain until America's allies up their contribution;then 9800 US troops will provide the bulk of NATO's Operation Resolute Support,which will have an end strength of 13,500.The US will share an advise,assist and training mission with its NATO allies;but will handle counterterrorism combat operations on its own under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
US troops will continue to engage in combat with al Qaida militants in Afghanistan still posing a national security risk to the United States.Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement that we will work with our allies and partners as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission to continue training,advising and assisting Afghan security forces.And we will continue our counterterrorism mission against the remnants of al Qaida to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used to stage attacks against our homeland.
General John Campbell,US Army,is commander of both NATO's Operation Resolute Support and America's Operation Freedom's Sentinel.The Afghan National Security Forces number more than 350,000 troops and police,and have shown themselves to be fairly competent in combat and security operations after extensive training,though deficient in logistics and airpower against a Taliban and al Qaida enemy that remain determined and dangerous to the fledgling Afghan democracy.*
Meanwhile,the US continues to combat Islamist militants in Somalia as well.Today it conducted an airstrike on a leader of the al-Shabab organization near Saakow,Somalia.The militant's identity was not revealed;nor had the effectiveness of the strike been ascertained;it was still being assessed.Al-Shabab is an al Qaida affiliate.
Update:On Wednesday 31 December,the Pentagon stated that the Somali Islamist militant leader targeted in Monday's airstrike had been killed when his vehicle was struck by several Hellfire missiles fired by a drone.The strike had been triggered by actionable intelligence.The leader killed was Tahliil Abdishakur,chief of al-Shabab's intelligence section.
US troops will continue to engage in combat with al Qaida militants in Afghanistan still posing a national security risk to the United States.Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement that we will work with our allies and partners as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission to continue training,advising and assisting Afghan security forces.And we will continue our counterterrorism mission against the remnants of al Qaida to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used to stage attacks against our homeland.
General John Campbell,US Army,is commander of both NATO's Operation Resolute Support and America's Operation Freedom's Sentinel.The Afghan National Security Forces number more than 350,000 troops and police,and have shown themselves to be fairly competent in combat and security operations after extensive training,though deficient in logistics and airpower against a Taliban and al Qaida enemy that remain determined and dangerous to the fledgling Afghan democracy.*
Meanwhile,the US continues to combat Islamist militants in Somalia as well.Today it conducted an airstrike on a leader of the al-Shabab organization near Saakow,Somalia.The militant's identity was not revealed;nor had the effectiveness of the strike been ascertained;it was still being assessed.Al-Shabab is an al Qaida affiliate.
Update:On Wednesday 31 December,the Pentagon stated that the Somali Islamist militant leader targeted in Monday's airstrike had been killed when his vehicle was struck by several Hellfire missiles fired by a drone.The strike had been triggered by actionable intelligence.The leader killed was Tahliil Abdishakur,chief of al-Shabab's intelligence section.
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