The Pentagon is considering slowing the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan to ensure Afghan forces are prepared to hold on to allied gains, said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. “That could mean taking another look at the timing and sequencing of base closures, to ensure we have the right array of coalition capabilities to support our Afghan partners,” said Carter following a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Feb. 21. Carter said it is essential to keep the forces needed to “ensure that hard-won progress lasts” and that residual American advisors and diplomats are adequately protected. “President Obama is considering a number of options to reinforce our support for President Ghani’s security strategy, including possible changes to the timeline for our drawdown of US troops,” he added. Carter’s current fact-finding trip through Southwest Asia is his first overseas jaunt since taking the Defense Department’s reins on Feb. 17. (Carter-Ghani transcript) (See also Increased 2015 Troop Presence in Afghanistan Announced.)
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.