American troops cause greater problems than they solve, because of this added incentive to war.
December 1, 2017
Since President Trump came into office, (click here) U.S. troop numbers have been edging up in the three countries where the U.S. is most deeply involved in fighting — Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. forces totaled just over 18,000 in these three countries at the end of last December, just before President Obama completed his term, according to the Pentagon's Defense Manpower Data Center.
The combined figure was about 26,000 as of the end of September, the most recent data available from the Pentagon.
Neither President Trump nor the military likes to talk about troop numbers. A Pentagon spokesman, Army Col. Rob Manning, said multiple factors can be influence the figures, such as troop rotations, the changing nature of military missions and the political sensitivities of the host country.
He told reporters not to place too much stock in the quarterly figures put out by the Defense Manpower Data Center....
Trump is calling up the National Guard again!
November 28, 2017
By Missy Ryan
The Trump administration’s new strategy for Afghanistan (click here) will array significantly more U.S. troops across the battlefield, increasing the risk to American lives, a senior general said on Tuesday.
Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., who commands U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, told reporters at the Pentagon that President Trump’s new plan for Afghanistan would substantially expand how American advisers provide hands-on assistance to Afghan soldiers.
Nicholson spoke as the U.S. military seeks to showcase its new, more aggressive approach for the war in Afghanistan, now in its 16th year. Seeking to signal a break with the Obama administration, the White House in August authorized a sizable increase in the U.S. troop presence and a more expansive, open-ended mission to combat insurgent groups, including the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the regional Islamic State affiliate.
There are now about 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, up from about 8,400 at the end of the Obama administration....Merr
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! Because of all the money business with the tax code by Congress, NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS ripped up from their jobs and family, are concerned for the well being of their loved ones. There are family that will rely on Food Stamps as well when their bread winner is taken into active duty.
By Staff Sargent Isolda Reyes
General Joseph L. Lengyel (middle right), 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Command Sgt. Major Christopher Kepner (middle left), poses with Col Mark. M. Beckler (right), commander of the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven McKenna (left), during their visit to Taji Military Complex, Iraq, November 25,2017. The 29th Combat Aviation Brigade is made up of multiple Army National Guard, Army and US Army Reserve units deployed to Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Taji Military Complex, IRAQ - The 28th Chief (click here) of the National Guard Bureau, Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel visited with Soldiers from the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade at Taji Military Complex, Iraq, Nov. 25.
Lengyel received a briefing from the 29th CAB commander, Col. Mark Beckler, and brigade staff officers about the Army aviation mission in Operation Inherent Resolve. Beckler noted that 29th CAB is the only aviation brigade supporting Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Lengyel expressed interest in the CAB mission as 29th CAB prepares to hand over their missions to the incoming 449th CAB, which is moving into Kuwait and Iraq now.
“I want to be able to understand the issues so I can advocate what’s best for the mission,” said Lengyel.
Following his meeting with other National Guard units at Taji, Lengyel and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner, the 11th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, enjoyed lunch with a selection of Airmen and Soldiers during which he emphasized his role with Soldiers’ life in the National Guard.
Lengyel stated that his top three concerns are Soldiers and making sure they receive the right training, while ensuring National Guard personnel receive the right opportunities for their careers and families.
Soldiers followed up with questions that ranged from keeping an Apache fleet in the National Guard, operational support and personnel questions, including allowing National Guard Soldiers access to Tricare even if they are Federal Government employees....
