Families can be proud of their troops, Georgia TAG says

Photo By Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke | Private Charles Stone a resident of Ranger, Ga., and his squad from C Company, 1-108th Combined Arms Battalion, aim their weapons at a simulated target that portrays Iraqi insurgents. The unit, which is part of the 48th Brigade Combat Team, a Georgia Army National Guard unit, was conducting squad lanes training and learning how to safely search and secure a building at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center.  

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

09.03.2009

Story by Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke 

National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va.— Families of Georgia Army and Air National Guard troops need to know that they can be proud of their Soldiers and Airmen, the adjutant general of Georgia told a reporter, Sept. 3.

"They are doing a great job," said Army Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt. "They are doing it in a very professional way, and I would just encourage them to exercise the same courage that is being displayed by their Soldiers and Airmen here."

Nesbitt and other state officials are in Afghanistan this week visiting with troops from the 116th Air Control Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard and the 48th Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Nesbitt's first stop, Sept. 1, was in Qatar to visit the 116th, which is a blended unit of National Guard and active duty Airmen. It is the only unit in the Air Force that operates the E-8C and the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS.

His group arrived in Kabul today to visit with the Soldiers of the 48th BCT, who are deployed in support of Task Force Phoenix mentoring and advising the Afghan national army and Afghan national police.

When asked about deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan, Nesbitt said the last couple of months have been pretty tough. "There has been some extra heavy fighting here, but the Georgia National Guard and the rest of the military is holding up well and responding very well to the increased activity."

Nesbitt added that he believes Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, is taking positive steps to counter the insurgency in Afghanistan.

The Georgia Soldiers have an important mission in Afghanistan, because "it is very important for the Afghan people to have confidence in their government," Nesbitt said. "They have to feel secure, and that is the struggle that is going on right now."

The size and training of the Afghan army and police are an essential part of that security. "There are ambitious plans to double the size of the Afghan army, and our Soldiers are a part of that," he said.

Finally, Nesbitt said he wants families to know that their Soldiers are well led and well trained. "It is war and there are dangers and risks involved with it," he said. "But I can tell you that everything possible is being done to execute this mission as safely as possible."

Nesbitt said the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard will return from Bagram Air Field on Saturday, and he encouraged state residents to welcome them home.

"It's always great to see our Soldiers and Airmen ... who are serving us so courageously here. They are making us so proud."

• Date Taken: 09.03.2009
• Date Posted: 09.03.2009 15:18
• Story ID: 38335
• Location: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US