Exclusive: Trump's Afghan decision may
increase U.S. air power, training
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[August 23, 2017]
By Phil Stewart
ON BOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (Reuters)
- The U.S. Air Force may intensify its strikes in Afghanistan and expand
training of the Afghan air force following President Donald Trump's
decision to forge ahead with the 16-year-old war, its top general told
Reuters on Tuesday.
Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein said, however, he was
still examining the matter, as the U.S. military's top brass had only
begun the process of translating Trump's war strategy into action.
Asked whether the Air Force would dedicate more assets to Afghanistan,
where the United States has been engaged in its longest military
conflict, Goldfein said only: "Possibly."
"It's actually too early to tell what this will mean in terms of
plus-ups and reductions," he said in a joint interview with Air Force
Secretary Heather Wilson.
Still, he acknowledged that the Air Force was "absolutely" examining the
possibility of increasing air power, including to support U.S. ground
forces, following Trump's promise of a stepped-up campaign against
Taliban insurgents, who have gained ground against U.S.-backed Afghan
government forces.

Goldfein said the same about providing training to Afghan pilots.
Wilson, who assumed the Air Force's top civilian job three months ago,
noted the Afghan military had made strides thanks to U.S. training and
equipment, but added: "I think there is a long way to go there, very
honestly."
In a speech on Monday night, Trump appeared to answer a call from the
top U.S. commander on the ground for thousands of more troops to break a
stalemate with Taliban insurgents, on top of the roughly 8,400 now
deployed in Afghanistan.
Trump said the United States would not disclose troop numbers, but one
U.S. official told Reuters they could start moving quickly. U.S. Defense
Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday he would set troop levels following
the review by military chiefs.
During the administration of Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, U.S.
military officials privately expressed frustration about their inability
to strike at many Taliban targets - including training camps - unless
they could show a direct threat to U.S. forces or major impact on the
Afghan state.
Wilson said Trump appeared to be giving greater flexibility to strike
insurgents.
"Obviously the Joint Chiefs will work through their plans and make
proposals, but I think the guidance was pretty clear from the president
last night, and we're going to go on the offensive and destroy these
terrorist networks," Wilson said.
Goldfein said: "I thought that came out very loud and clear in the
speech that that's his priority."

MORE FIREPOWER
Wilson and Goldfein spoke to Reuters while flying back to the United
States after a nine-day trip that included a visit to Afghanistan, where
the U.S. military has ramped up its firepower against Islamic State in
recent months even as it helps Afghan forces battle the Taliban.
Particularly for the U.S. Air Force, the size of the American commitment
to Afghanistan far outweighs the number of airmen deployed there. A
network of U.S. installations throughout the Middle East supports the
Afghan campaign, including in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Still, any substantial increase in U.S. targeting of the Taliban and
Islamic State militants would likely require dedicating more U.S.
military assets to build intelligence, strike insurgent targets and
provide support to U.S. forces in the field.
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A U.S. Air Force crew chief signals the pilot of an F-16 Flying
Falcon as it taxis for a mission at Bagram air field in Afghanistan
August 11, 2016. REUTERS/Josh Smith

Although the U.S. military is stretched, a string of U.S.
coalition-backed victories by Iraqi forces against Islamic State
might free up some firepower and intelligence assets for
Afghanistan, experts say.
Air Force spokesman Brigadier General Edward Thomas declined to
speculate on operational planning. But he noted that U.S. air power
from the region could be deployed, if needed, including fighter
aircraft, bombers and spy planes.
"With the detailed planning that will follow the president's
announcement, the Air Force will be ready to swing any additional
airmen and aircraft to the fight as required," Thomas said.
PRESSURE ON PAKISTAN
Trump ran for the presidency calling for a swift U.S. withdrawal
from Afghanistan, which the United States invaded in October 2001,
and he acknowledged on Monday that he was going against his
instincts in approving the new campaign plan sought by his military
advisers.
Wilson said Trump's remarks represented a "strategic correction" in
the war effort along with a significant shift in policy on Pakistan.
In his speech, Trump delivered a sharp rebuke to Islamabad for
allowing Taliban insurgents a safe haven from which launch attacks
in Afghanistan, and said it had "much to lose" unless it changed
course. Pakistan denies that it harbors militants fighting U.S. and
Afghan government forces in Afghanistan.
Reuters has reported that the United States has been considering a
range of actions, including withholding aid to Pakistan and,
perhaps, ramping up drone strikes.

Successive U.S. administrations have struggled with how to deal with
nuclear-armed Pakistan, and the U.S. military has been dependent in
the past on overflight or land routes through Pakistan to resupply
its forces in landlocked Afghanistan.
Wilson did not rule out a future U.S. military role against
militants in Pakistan should Islamabad fail to act, but she said
Trump's focus appeared to be on diplomatic efforts for now.
"My assumption is that there will be some intense diplomatic
pressure," she said.
Goldfein said he was not aware of any changes to U.S.-Pakistani
military ties, but acknowledged the military would take its cues
from the State Department.
"I can tell you that I have a fairly robust dialogue with the
Pakistani air chief. I've hosted him. He's hosted me," Goldfein
said. "But that dialogue is always supportive of the diplomatic
dialogue."
(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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