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SecArmy praises troops in Afghanistan

Army News Service

Release Date: 3/23/2004

By Staff Sgt. Kelly McCargo

KABUL, Afghanistan (Army News Service, March 23, 2004) - Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee visited senior U.S. civilian and military leaders in Afghanistan, March 20-21, as part of his latest Southeast Asia military tour.

"You just can't say enough good things about our Soldiers because they're doing such a marvelous job and under very difficult conditions," Brownlee said. "We're lucky to have young Americans who are willing to serve their country in uniform in this time of war . and they're all volunteers."

Brownlee's visit included an informal lunch with Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, and Air Force Maj. Gen. Craig Weston, chief of the Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan, at the U.S. Embassy to discuss reconstruction challenges.

Brownlee also took a quick helicopter flight to Bagram Air Base to meet with Maj. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of Coalition Joint Task Force 180, for a mission briefing; and another flight downrange to visit 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment Soldiers at Camp Albert in Ghazni.

The secretary said he sees tremendous progress in Afghanistan, with the drafting of a new constitution, the standing up of a national army, and the rebuilding of roads and schools. He recognizes the challenges for the troops stationed here, fighting anti-coalition forces and setting conditions for reconstruction at the same time.

Such missions are "never easy . Soldiers find themselves in an actual combat firefight, and a few hours later they're on a humanitarian mission," he said. "The Army right now is doing a very difficult job here in Afghanistan because it's tough to build a nation, and that's what we're engaged in.

"But we have very flexible and adaptive Soldiers who continually amaze me with their ability to go in there and get the job done."

Brownlee is also impressed with the Total Force integration he sees throughout the area of operations. "A Soldier is a Soldier," he said. "Quite frankly, when I was sitting down talking to Soldiers, I couldn't tell who was reserve or (active duty) because they all have the same level of commitment, and they are all very enthusiastic about doing their jobs."

He also appreciates the sacrifice made by reservists' families to permit the Soldiers to fulfill their military obligation.

Whatever their component, all Soldiers are concerned about morale, a key issue for Army senior leaders as well, Brownlee said. It's one reason why he travels to deployment areas - to get a personal assessment.

"I am continually amazed at how good the morale is in Afghanistan," he said. "The Soldiers understand the importance of what they are doing here. You can see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. They're very determined."

More than 75 percent of the 11,500 U.S. service members deployed throughout Afghanistan are U.S. Soldiers. Brownlee said he recognizes the importance of the joint services working together to defeat terrorism.

"I believe, more than any other time in recent history, American people really appreciate what the military is doing for them," he said.