Thursday, May 19, 2022
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Panetta Announces Completion of Afghanistan Surge Drawdown

by US Department of Defense
September 24, 2012
in Defense Geopolitics News
2 min read
0
Navistar Team Unveil Special Operations Tactical Vehicle
14
VIEWS

The drawdown of U.S. surge forces in Afghanistan is complete as scheduled, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced here today during a news conference with New Zealand Defense Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman.

Panetta said the return of 33,000 troops President Barack Obama committed to the war in Afghanistan in 2009 is “an important milestone.”

“As we reflect on this moment, it is an opportunity to recognize that the surge accomplished its objectives of reversing Taliban momentum on the battlefield and dramatically increased the size and capability of the Afghan national security forces,” he said.

The surge of forces allowed the United States and its coalition partners in NATO’s International Security Assistance Force to begin transitioning to Afghan security lead, he said, noting that Afghan forces soon will be responsible for leading their country’s defense in areas of every province, and for more than 75 percent of the Afghan population.

“At the same time, we have struck enormous blows against al-Qaida’s leadership, consistent with our core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida and denying it a safe haven,” the secretary said.

The 68,000 U.S. service members who remain in Afghanistan combine with other nation’s forces to make ISAF around 100,000 troops strong, Panetta said. Those forces will keep working to reduce the level of violence in Afghanistan, ensure the Taliban do not regain any of their previously held areas, and strengthen the Afghan army, he added.

Panetta said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and ISAF forces in Afghanistan, is confident he can accomplish his campaign with the current force level.

“I have always had tremendous confidence in General Allen’s ability to say to me, ‘This is what I need in order to accomplish the mission,’” the secretary said. “Right now, he is saying the force he has in place is sufficient to accomplish that mission.”

Panetta is in New Zealand for the final stop on his third Asian tour, which also included visits to Japan and China.

Tags: afghanistanchinajapannew zealandPanettasurgewar
Previous Post

Leaked pictures of cutting-edge Chinese fighter

Next Post

Comptroller: Sequestration Would Devastate Defense Spending

Related Posts

Somali forces capture rebel stronghold

Biden reestablishes US troop presence inside Somalia

May 17, 2022

President Joe Biden has ordered the reestablishment of a US troop presence in Somalia to help local authorities combat the...

Chile redeploys army to restive southern region

Chile redeploys army to restive southern region

May 17, 2022

Chile ordered the redeployment of its military to the Araucania region in the south of the country Monday, in the...

Next Post
Defense Panel Calls for More Force Structure Changes

Comptroller: Sequestration Would Devastate Defense Spending

Latest Defense News

Somali forces capture rebel stronghold

Biden reestablishes US troop presence inside Somalia

May 17, 2022
Chile redeploys army to restive southern region

Chile redeploys army to restive southern region

May 17, 2022
Erdogan threatens to block NATO’s Baltic defence plan

Turkey ‘will not say yes’ to NATO membership for Sweden, Finland: Erdogan

May 17, 2022
Beijing accuses NATO of exaggerating ‘China threat theory’

Sweden enters ‘new era’ with NATO bid

May 17, 2022
PzH 2000 Self-propelled Howitzer

Germany to send self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine

May 6, 2022
Coronavirus challenges US military machine

Pentagon denies helping Ukraine ‘target’ Russian generals

May 6, 2022

Defense Forum Discussions

  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Ukrainian - Russian War Memes.
  • China - Geostrategic & Geopolitical.
  • US Army News and updates general discussion
  • NZDF General discussion thread
  • Indian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • Japan, Koreas, China and Taiwan regional issues
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Russian Army/Ground Forces Discussion and Updates
  • Indonesian Aero News
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com