Forces required for one US base in Afghanistan after 2014

U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

Two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters prepares for takeoff at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on Dec 4, 2011.

Article Highlights

  • The notion of keeping only 3,000 troops in Afghanistan is militarily infeasible.

    Tweet This

  • 3k troops are not sufficient to keep even a single US military base in Afghanistan after 2014.

    Tweet This

Three thousand troops are not sufficient to keep even a single U.S. military base in Afghanistan after 2014. This report, released jointly with the Institute for the Study of War, describes how to calculate the force requirements for keeping one single base in Afghanistan after 2014, concluding that it is not possible to do so with fewer than about 6,000 troops. The report identifies many (but not all) of the specific tasks and specialties required to keep an airbase capable of handling large cargo aircraft running and to protect it against known, current enemy capabilities. It also finds that a base manned at such a level would have virtually no ability to advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces or even to conduct meaningful counter-terrorism operations. The notion of keeping only 3,000 troops in Afghanistan is militarily infeasible.

Also Visit
AEIdeas Blog The American Magazine
About the Author

 

Frederick W.
Kagan

What's new on AEI

image The Pentagon’s illusion of choice: Hagel’s 2 options are really 1
image Wild about Larry
image Primary care as affordable luxury
image Solving the chicken-or-egg job problem
AEI on Facebook
Events Calendar
  • 29
    MON
  • 30
    TUE
  • 31
    WED
  • 01
    THU
  • 02
    FRI
Monday, July 29, 2013 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Squaring the circle: General Raymond T. Odierno on American military strategy in a time of declining resources

AEI’s Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies will host General Raymond Odierno, chief of staff of the US Army, for the second installment of a series of four events with each member of the Joint Chiefs.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership and 21st Century Trade Agreements

Please join AEI for a briefing on the TPP and the current trade agenda from 12:00 – 1:15 on Tuesday, July 30th in 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Thursday, August 01, 2013 | 8:10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
International conference on collateral risk: Moderating housing cycles and their systemic impact

Experts from the US, Europe, Canada, and Asia will address efforts to moderate housing cycles using countercyclical lending policies.

No events scheduled this day.
No events scheduled this day.
No events scheduled today.
No events scheduled this day.
No events scheduled this day.