BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Jan. 14, 2015) -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited Service members here, Jan. 14, during his first trip to Afghanistan since the transition from Operation Enduring Freedom to Resolute Support.
"Because of the courage and resilience of the American Army and its partners, the world and the nation are safer," McHugh told Service members. "And because of men and women like the American Soldiers serving in Afghanistan, the Afghan people have a precious gift: The gift of a chance -- a chance to stand on their own…a chance for freedom -- for liberty…a chance for a better tomorrow."
While learning firsthand about the recent transition to Operation Resolute Support, the secretary pointedly told the Soldiers he met with, how appreciative he was of their continued service and sacrifice. He carried well wishes of other senior military leaders, President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
"As always, we are all in awe of their courage and dedication," McHugh said.
"The reason I come has always been to see Soldiers," he said. "Whether it's Soldiers out there guarding the perimeter, Soldiers doing administrative duty, and in between. The American Soldier as always, makes me so very proud."
This is his first trip to Afghanistan since the transition from Operation Enduring Freedom to Resolute Support, so McHugh took this opportunity to engage in discussions about the mission with Gen. John Campbell, Resolute Support and commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Maj. Gen. John Murray, U.S. Forces Afghanistan deputy commander for support at Bagram Airfield.
"The Afghan Security Forces have taken the lead since June 2013," McHugh said. "They are going out and taking on the enemy, and they have shown their ability to overmatch the enemy in just about every situation."
McHugh emphasized that getting to this point didn't happen overnight, but was achieved because of the work put in over the past 13 years.
"This came about because of the great training, the great preparation that the American military has provided them," McHugh said. "It's an Afghan opportunity once more to secure the future that they have been given an opportunity to pursue."
The mission might have transitioned, but to McHugh his pride of Soldiers will never change.
"I'd be remiss if I don't tell all the men and women here at Bagram and throughout the AOR [area of responsibility] in Afghanistan of how proud I am of them; but all of our senior military leaders, the president, the secretary of defense, all of the folks that ask them to come out and do the mission," McHugh said. "They have done it in incredible ways. They have done it at a level that frankly, none of us really imagined. We are so proud of them, and proud too of their families back home that give them the support to let their loved one come and serve the United States of America through these very challenging and often very dangerous missions."
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