The Afghanistan War began in October 2001. As the last contingent of Marines departed on October 26, 2014, International Security Assistance Force Commander U.S. Army General John F. Campbell commended the coalition troops on their work in what has been one of the most volatile and costly battlegrounds over the course of the war. The mission took 2,356 U.S. service personnel in 13 years of war. "Helmand, as you know, has been a very, very tough area," Campbell said in a U.S. Marine Corps news release. "We feel very confident with the Afghan security forces as they continue to grow in their capacity and they continue to work better between the police and the army." 

Camp Leatherneck and Bastion Airfield will remain under the control of the Afghan National Army's 215th Corps. According to media reports, the U.S. military also leaves behind $230 million worth of buildings, equipment, and infrastructure for the Afghan troops as they continue to battle insurgents in the region. In 2008, 30,000 U.S. troops were deployed. In 2011, 140,000 troops from more than 50 countries were distributed in over 800 sites. As General John Campbell, commander of Resolute Support wrote on January 29, 2015, “As of January 1, 2015 we have about 15,000 coalition troops at 25 bases…as we prepare for the future, 2015 will undoubtedly be a decisive year. The ANSF must win the 2015-fighting season. Resolute Support will play a vital role.”

A Plea for Caution from Russia-Opinion “New York TIMES” 9-11-2013 Op-Ed Contributor - "RECENT events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders. It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies.

Defense Budget and Military Readiness © by Richard T. Kusiolek (all rights reserved)

As reported by news sources, President Donald Trump wants lawmakers to give the Pentagon an additional $4 billion for “urgent” missile defense improvements against North Korea and nearly $2 billion more to increase troop levels in Afghanistan by 3,500 and repair damaged naval ships. In a letter sent to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) on Monday, President Trump seeks US House of Representatives to pass budget amendments to give the Department of Defense $10billion that consist of $4 billion for “defense enhancements to counter the threat from North Korea.”. - plus, an additional $4 billion for “urgent” missile defense improvements against North Korea and nearly $2 billion more to increase troop levels in Afghanistan by 3,500 and repair damaged naval ships

“A significant cultural shift during the early years of the global war on terror led to the development and adoption of capabilities and tactics to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs).Today, unmanned aerial systems (UASs) pose a threat similar to that of IEDs. The Marine Corps must develop counter-UAS (C-UAS) tools to improve battlefield survivability service-wide,