Panetta Announces Completion of Afghanistan Surge Drawdown

By Karen ParrishAmerican Forces Press Service
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012 –The drawdown of U.S. surge forces in Afghanistan is complete as scheduled,Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced here today during a news conferencewith New Zealand Defense Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman.
Panetta said the return of 33,000 troopsPresident Barack Obama committed to the war in Afghanistan in 2009 is “animportant milestone.”
“As we reflect on this moment, it is anopportunity to recognize that the surge accomplished its objectives ofreversing Taliban momentum on the battlefield and dramatically increased thesize and capability of the Afghan national security forces,” he said.
The surge of forces allowed the UnitedStates and its coalition partners in NATO’s International Security AssistanceForce to begin transitioning to Afghan security lead, he said, noting thatAfghan forces soon will be responsible for leading their country’s defense inareas of every province, and for more than 75 percent of the Afghan population.
“At the same time, we have struckenormous blows against al-Qaida's leadership, consistent with our core goal ofdisrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida and denying it a safe haven,”the secretary said.
The 68,000 U.S. service members whoremain in Afghanistan combine with other nation’s forces to make ISAF around100,000 troops strong, Panetta said. Those forces will keep working to reducethe level of violence in Afghanistan, ensure the Taliban do not regain any oftheir previously held areas, and strengthen the Afghan army, he added.
Panetta said Marine Corps Gen. John R.Allen, commander of U.S. and ISAF forces in Afghanistan, is confident he can accomplishhis campaign with the current force level.
“I have always had tremendous confidencein General Allen’s ability to say to me, ‘This is what I need in order toaccomplish the mission,’” the secretary said. “Right now, he is saying theforce he has in place is sufficient to accomplish that mission.”
Panetta is in New Zealand for the finalstop on his third Asian tour, which also included visits to Japan and China.