Secretary Carter Arrives in Afghanistan for Visit to Thank U.S. Troops
Dec. 9, 2016

Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Afghanistan Friday 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.

In addition to several engagements with U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan, Secretary Carter will meet with 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. He will also receive an update on recent, successful U.S. counter-terrorism efforts against al Qaeda and ISIL in Afghanistan.

In his meetings with senior Afghan officials, 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. 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.