Afghan Troops, Police Continue to Improve as Numbers Grow, General Says

[NYVet]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52086

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2008 – The performance of Afghanistan’s army and constabulary continues to improve while more soldiers and police are trained and fielded, the senior U.S. military officer responsible for their training said today.

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Afghan army units take the lead “in about 60 percent of the operations they participate in,” Cone said, noting Afghan soldiers have proved themselves to be “an effective fighting force.”

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Last year, Cone said, about 26,000 Afghan National Army troops were trained by U.S., coalition and Afghan instructors working for Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan. Another 28,000 or so Afghan troops will be trained this year, he said.

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More than 22,000 Afghan police have been retrained over the past year, Cone said, noting that number amounts to more than a quarter of Afghanistan’s national police force.

“We believe the increased security and stability along the border and throughout the country will be worth the investment in Afghanistan,” Cone said.

Though Afghan soldiers and police continue to improve, Cone said, there’s still a long way to go, and a sustained international effort is necessary to achieve ultimate success.

“This is especially true in reforming the Afghan National Police,” Cone said. “We welcome the international community involvement, especially in providing police trainers and mentors.”