General foresees no shift to Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

General foresees no shift to Afghanistan
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Aug 19, 2008 7:34:43 EDT

Violence is down in Iraq and escalating in Afghanistan, but Air Force officials don’t expect to deploy more airmen or aircraft to Afghanistan or reduce the number in Iraq, said Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Air Forces Central commander.

About 33,000 troops are stationed in Afghanistan including about 5,000 airmen — the highest numbers since the war began — in response to the recent resurgence of the Taliban in the southern and eastern portions of the country.

The increased attacks have resulted in the most deadly three-month period there for U.S. forces. From May to July, 65 troops died, pushing the total death toll in Afghanistan past 500.

Since January, the Air Force has been hitting back. During the first six months of 2008, Air Force planes dropped 1,853 bombs over Afghanistan — more than were dropped in all of 2006. Last month, they dropped 505 bombs over Afghanistan, while Air Force planes dropped only 29 bombs over Iraq.

However, North said, many of the bombers over Afghanistan do not take off from bases inside that country.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/airforce_centcom_081608/