Afghanistan: Senior general says US will maintain ability to launch air strikes following troop withdrawal

CNN — The senior US general responsible for US troops in the Middle East made clear Thursday that the US intends to maintain military influence and the ability to carry out air strikes in Afghanistan after American and NATO troops are withdrawn from the country later this year. With just more than a week until the withdrawal is slated to begin, Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, which includes the Middle East and Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday that military planners are looking at ways to continue operations in the country following the withdrawal and in the short term bring in “additional resources” to support a safe draw down of troops. It is certainly not impossible, but we won’t have the vision we have now.” US diplomats will look at the “art of the possible” to see if there are potential basing agreements with other countries, McKenzie added, but he made it clear that the plan is to withdraw every troop from Afghanistan - “zero is going to be zero” - with the exception of the forces needed for embassy security. But we’re not planning to go back in to reoccupy.” Force protection a priority as troops withdraw A defense official told CNN that McKenzie has requested a constant aircraft carrier presence in the region to provide air support, at least until the scheduled end of the withdrawal on September 11. “I am concerned about the Afghan military to hold on after we leave and the ability of the Afghan Air Force to fly in particular after we remove the support for those aircraft.” US contractors provide crucial support and maintenance to the country’s Air Force, without which the aircraft may not be able to fly.