101st commander: Summer crucial in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

101st commander: Summer crucial in Afghanistan
By Kristin M. Hall - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 19, 2010 21:11:04 EDT

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — The Army’s 101st Airborne Division is heading to Afghanistan this summer in a critical year to show progress in the face of increased attacks, the division’s commander said.

The division wrapped up its flag in a case during a ceremony Wednesday at Fort Campbell, the final step before taking over NATO operations in the eastern region of the country. This is the division’s fourth deployment since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began.

Nearly 20,000 soldiers will be in Afghanistan this year and most will be stationed in areas in the eastern region near the Pakistan border. Some of the units will also be part of an offensive this summer in Kandahar, the biggest city in the south.

Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell said success won’t occur without the support of the Afghan people and their government.

“Ultimately our efforts across Afghanistan are about changing the perception of the Afghan people,” he said.