Afghan surge begins in dangerous region

[unhappycamper]

Col. David Haight, right, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, speaks as Wardak's chief police Muzafaruddin, second right, Wardak's province Governor Mohammed Halim Fedayi, third right, and Logar's province Governor Atiqullah Ludin are seen during a press conference in Logar province, Afghanistan on Feb.11.


Afghan surge begins in dangerous region
By Jason Straziuso - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 16, 2009 15:05:36 EST

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Close to 3,000 American soldiers who recently arrived in Afghanistan to secure two violent provinces near Kabul have begun operations in the field and already are seeing combat, the unit’s spokesman said Monday.

The new troops are the first wave of a surge of reinforcements expected this year after President Barack Obama put an increased focus on Afghanistan. U.S. commanders are contemplating sending up to 30,000 additional soldiers to bolster the 33,000 already in Afghanistan.

The new unit — the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division — moved into Logar and Wardak provinces last month, and the soldiers from Fort Drum, N.Y., are now stationed in combat outposts throughout the provinces.

Militants have attacked several patrols with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, including one ambush by 30 insurgents, Lt. Col. Steve Osterhozer, the brigade spokesman, said.

Several roadside bombs also have exploded next to the unit’s MRAPs — mine-resistance patrol vehicles — but caused no casualties, he said.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_afghanistan_surge_021609/%2e