Mullen to soldiers: Afghan casualties will rise

[unhappycamper]

Mullen to soldiers: Afghan casualties will rise
By Kristin M. Hall - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Dec 7, 2009 12:12:49 EST

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — The nation’s top military commander Monday told soldiers, including many bound for Afghanistan, that he expects casualties to rise next year as additional U.S. troops pour into the war.

Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, answered soldiers’ questions for about an hour here. Many at Fort Campbell already had orders for Afghanistan before President Barack Obama unveiled his plan last week to add about 30,000 troops to about 70,000 already there.

“I expect a tough fight in 2010,” Mullen said.

Several questions from soldiers focused on the role of Pakistan and America’s NATO allies in containing al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Mullen said the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is “the epicenter for global terrorism.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_army_mullen_campbell_visit_120709/