More ‘trigger-pullers’ sought for Afghanistan
Published 10:14 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2009
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials are planning to add as many as 14,000 combat troops to the American force in Afghanistan by sending home support units and replacing them with “trigger-pullers,” defense officials say.
The move would beef up the combat force in Afghanistan without increasing the overall number of U.S. troops — a contentious issue as public support for the war slips. Many of the noncombat jobs are likely be filled by private contractors, a source of controversy in Iraq and a growing issue in Afghanistan.
Forces that could be swapped out include units assigned to noncombat duty, such as guards or lookouts, or those on clerical and support squads.
“It makes sense to get rid of the clerks and replace them with trigger-pullers,” said one Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been announced.
The changes will not offset the potential need for additional troops in the future, but they could reduce the size of any request from Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and allied commander, officials said.
McChrystal submitted a broad assessment of the Afghan war effort this week, calling the situation “serious.” Details of the assessment remain secret, but officials said it did not contain a request for more troops. Such a request could be submitted in coming weeks.
