PRESS RELEASE | Dec. 17, 2008
President Karzai awards Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone
By None , U.S. Forces – Afghanistan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2008

Release Number 20081612-05

President Karzai awards Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai awarded U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, Combined Security Transition Command commanding general with the Ghazi Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan State Medal at the Arg, the Presidential Palace of Afghanistan on Dec. 15.

Cone received the award for his accomplishments in the development and strengthening of the capacity of the Afghan National Army and for playing a key role in maintaining stability and security in country during the period of his services in Afghanistan.

CSTC-A’s accomplishments during Cone’s 18-month tour of duty include assisting the ANA expanding its force by 26,000 soldiers in the last year, tripling the growth rate of previous years; initiating a program to train Afghanistan’s National Police, training 22,000 police this year; and assisting with the growth of the Afghan Nation Army Air Corps, which now flies 90 percent of their own missions.

CSTC-A provides advisors, mentors and trainers to help the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior to organize, train, equip and support the Afghan National Security Forces.