President Obama Pays Surprise Visit To Troops In Afghanistan
(March 30, 2010) | 
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| WASHINGTON, March 28, 2010 – President Barack Obama today paid a surprise visit
to troops in Afghanistan, delivering a message of praise to American
servicemembers on behalf of the United States.
Speaking at Bagram Airfield to an audience of soldiers, sailors, airmen and
Marines, Obama said support for deployed servicemembers transcends partisan
politics. |
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| President Barack Obama greets U.S. troops at a mess hall March 28, 2010, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. White House photo/Pete Souza |
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“I know that sometimes when you're watching TV, the politics back home may look
a little messy, and people are yelling and hollering, and Democrats this and
Republicans that,” he said. “I want you to understand this: There's no daylight
when it comes to support of all of you. There's no daylight when it comes to
supporting our troops. That brings us together.
“We are all incredibly proud. We all honor what you do,” he continued. “And all
of you show all of America what's possible when people come together, not based
on color or creed, not based on faith or station, but based on a commitment to
serve together, to bleed together and to succeed together as one people, as
Americans.”
The Obama family reportedly spent the weekend at the remote presidential
residence at Camp David, from which the commander in chief quietly departed
today en route to Afghanistan, where he also met with Afghan President Hamid
Karzai.
Obama reiterated that continued military operations against the type of
Afghanistan-based terrorism that led to the 9/11 attacks are necessary for
American security, saying the “folks back home are relying on you.”
“I want every American serving in Afghanistan, military and civilian, to know,
whether you're working the flightline here at Bagram or patrolling a village
down in Helmand, whether you're standing watch at a forward operating base or
training our Afghan partners or working with the Afghan government,” he said,
“your services are absolutely necessary, absolutely essential, to America's
safety and security.”
Roughly a third of the 30,000-troop surge Obama announced for Afghanistan in
December is in place, with 18,000 of the additional forces expected to be in
Afghanistan by late spring. About 83,000 American and 45,000 allied forces are
in Afghanistan now according to the latest available figures, as troop levels in
Iraq continue to drop.
“Many of the troops that I ordered to Afghanistan have begun to arrive, and more
are on the way,” the president told about 2,000 servicemembers in Bagram's
“Clamshell” amphitheater. “And we'll continue to work with Congress to make sure
that you've got the equipment that you need, particularly as we complete our
drawdown in Iraq. We're providing more helicopters, we're providing more
intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, more special operations forces,
more armored vehicles that can save lives.”
In Afghanistan, the battle last month that routed the Taliban from its former
stronghold in Marja was cast as an early test of the strategy that includes
increasing the number of American and allied troops in NATO's International
Security Assistance Force and ramping up operations against militants in the
southern and eastern parts of Afghanistan.
“Together with our coalition and Afghan partners, our troops have pushed the
Taliban out of their stronghold in Marja,” he said. “We've changed the way we
operate and interact with the Afghan people. We see Afghans reclaiming their
communities, and we see new partnerships that will help them build their own
future and increase their security.”
Obama said Americans have responded to the renewed offensive with “a huge
increase in support,” reflecting their understanding of troops' sacrifices and
the clarity of mission servicemembers are bringing to bear. Military officials
have said Kandahar, considered the spiritual epicenter of the Taliban, will be
the next focus for military forces in Afghanistan.
The president highlighted the sacrifices made in Afghanistan, saying U.S. troops
today represent a link to servicemembers who have worn the American uniform for
hundreds of years.
“Here in Afghanistan, each one of you is part of an unbroken line of American
servicemembers who've sacrificed for over two centuries. You're protecting your
fellow citizens from danger. You're serving alongside old allies and new
friends,” he said. “You're bringing hope and opportunity to a people who have
known a lot of pain and a lot of suffering.”
Obama acknowledged the way forward in Afghanistan won't be easy, but added that
the challenges are not insurmountable.
“There are going to be some difficult days ahead. There's going to be setbacks,”
he said. “We face a determined enemy, but we also know this: The United States
of America does not quit once it starts on something. You don't quit, the
American armed services does not quit. We keep at it, we persevere, and together
with our partners we will prevail. I am absolutely confident of that.” | |
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2010
Video of President Obama Speaking to Troops in
Afghanistan
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