Schwartz: 1,600 airmen needed in Afghanistan

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news/2009/04/airforce_schwartz_afghanistan_040909w

Staff report
Posted : Monday Apr 13, 2009 18:09:22 EDT

About 1,600 additional airmen will be needed in Afghanistan to match the buildup for ground forces in the country, Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz told airmen while visiting a base in the Persian Gulf region.

“We’re going to grow in Afghanistan,” Schwartz said. “From the Air Force point of view, we’re currently at about 5,000. We are probably going to grow to about 6,600 or so, and of course it will be the full breadth of capabilities from intelligence to defenders to combat support on installations to the aviation missions of all kinds and space as well.”

Overall, the Air Force has about 27,000 airmen deployed to operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and neighboring countries,

As for when airmen involved with Iraqi operations will see their number decrease, Schwartz didn’t offer specific numbers.

Airmen in Iraq and surrounding countries will be needed to move troops and gear out Iraq.

“The key point is that the Air Force will provide the means for our troops, whether they are soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines, to return home,” he explained.

“It is a very substantial role, and one that I know we will do well,” he added.

Airman 1st Class Jason Epley / Air Force Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, shown speaking during an Airman's Call on Oct. 25 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, says the service needs to send 1,000 airmen to Afghanistan to complement the planned increase in ground troops there.