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leadership in regional military efforts, noting the prominent role of Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Zmarai, the brigade commander. “It’s not my brigade,” said Bapp. “It’s General Zmarai’s brigade -- it’s not my army: it’s the Afghan people’s army.” Abizaid quickly expanded on the point. “It’s their country and their army,” he said. “It’s our job to work ourselves out of a job -- if they don’t win, we don’t win.” Afghan National Army leaders described relations with coalition forces as close and constructive. “We have been coordinating everything with the coalition,” said Afghan National Army Maj. Aziz, 3rd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps intelligence officer. “We have been conducting operations side by side. “We discuss issues all the time, and when we have some information we pass it to the coalition and when the coalition has information, they pass it on to us,” he added. Abizaid discussed terrorist tactics, commenting on such desperate enemy devices as bombings and suicide attacks. “The Quran is very specific in its condemnation of suicide,” he noted. “The enemy conveniently forgets that the vast majority of the people don’t.” Abizaid also met with U.S. Marines serving in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Task Force Lava, as well as U.S. soldiers serving in 1st Battalion, 32rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Spartan. Abizaid received operational and terrain briefings from area leaders, including U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chris Cavoli, 1st Battalion, 32rd Infantry Regiment commander, and U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Chip Bierman, the Task Force Lava commander. The general concluded his battlefield visit with a series of briefings and meetings in Jalalabad. He heard from key Task Force Spartan officers and provincial reconstruction team officials before departing for Bagram Airfield. “The visit was extremely productive,” Nicholson said. “The soldiers and Marines of Task Force Spartan enjoyed their time with him, and our commanders benefited form the opportunity to dialogue with the [U.S. Central Command] commander. “The general made it clear from the start he wanted to discuss the tough issues and hear frank opinions,” Nicholson said. “He gave us a lot to think about, and I hope he returned to [U.S. Central Command] headquarters with some valuable input from the field.” Abizaid assumed the top U.S. Central Command spot in July 2003, replacing U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks. U.S. Central Command represents American interests in some 25 nations stretching from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia and includes such global war on terror hotspots as Iraq and Afghanistan. |
