WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Afghanistan today on a visit to thank U.S. troops for their service to the nation during the holidays, receive an update on NATO and U.S. efforts to support Afghan security forces and to meet with senior Afghan officials including President Ashraf Ghani, according to a DoD news release.
In addition to several engagements with U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan, Carter will meet with Army Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., commander of NATO’s Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and other senior officers to hear their assessment of the security situation and international efforts to help the government of Afghanistan improve security in the country, the release said.
Receives Counterterrorism Mission Update
Carter will also receive an update on recent, successful U.S. counter-terrorism efforts against al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Afghanistan, according to the release.
In his meetings with senior Afghan officials, the release said, the secretary will discuss the growing capabilities and resilience demonstrated by Afghan security forces in recent months. He will also discuss ongoing efforts to continue building Afghan combat capacity including aviation.
Carter is in the midst of a round-the-world trip to thank deployed U.S. troops for their service over the holidays, meet with important regional partners, and advance U.S. priorities including the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and the lasting defeat of ISIL, according to the release.
The trip already has included visits to U.S. ally Japan and to major defense partner India, and is scheduled to include visits to Bahrain, Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom, the release said.