Panetta: U.S., NATO will seek to end Afghan combat mission next year [View all]

[kpete]

Panetta: U.S., NATO will seek to end Afghan combat mission next year

by Craig Whitlock, Updated: Wednesday, February 1, 11:59 AM

BRUSSELS – The United States and NATO will seek to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year and shift to a role of providing support and training to Afghan security forces, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Wednesday.

U.S. military commanders had said in recent weeks they would begin a transition this year toward taking more of an advisory role as Afghanistan’s national army and police take greater responsibility for fighting the insurgency. But Panetta’s remarks were the first time the Obama administration has said it could foresee an end to regular U.S. and NATO combat operations by the second half of next year.


“Hopefully by mid to the latter part of 2013 we’ll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a training, advise and assist role,” he told reporters traveling with him to Brussels, where he is scheduled to attend NATO meetings this week.

Panetta said U.S. and NATO forces would still be actively engaged in helping Afghan forces operate. Although the Afghan army has grown in size and capability, it is still dependent on the United States military for airpower, troop movement, supplies and medical aid.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/war-zones/panetta-us-nato-will-seek-to-end-afghan-combat-mission-next-year/2012/02/01/gIQAriZJiQ_story.html?hpid=z1