KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 11, 2015) - U.S. troops serving in Kabul, Afghanistan were joined by NATO and coalition partners today to solemnly observe the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America. They were reminded of why they serve in this land where the attacks where launched 14 years ago.
About 1,200 Resolute Support members from 42 countries stood silently and listened to U.S. Army Gen. John F. Campbell, commander, Resolute Support and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan, speak about the day that changed the world and reflect on what it means to be serving together in Afghanistan today.
Campbell told the crowd that out of the 9/11 attacks, the citizens of the world united to promise future generations that another such attack would never happen again.
"That pledge is why we came to Afghanistan and why we remain, to defeat those who attacked us, and those who protected and provided sanctuary for them," Campbell said. "Since our arrival, our coalition and Afghan partners have applied relentless pressure against the terrorist networks that operate here, disrupting any ability of these networks to plan and execute further attacks against us."
A month after the attack, the U.S. launched an effort to oust the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The U.S. was quickly joined by international partners as the United Nations Security Council formed the International Security Assistance Force -- a NATO-led mission to build and train the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and help rebuild key government institutions. ISAF's lasting legacy, accomplished with Afghan partners, was the establishment of a 350,000-strong security force, which today is fully responsible for security in Afghanistan. Today, the NATO-led Resolute Support mission is to train, advise, and assist the ANDSF to become self-reliant in providing security for the people of Afghanistan and its freely-elected government.
"The cost of our continued commitment in Afghanistan is considerable, however, as we learned on 9/11, the cost of not maintaining a forward presence could be far more costly," Campbell said in his remarks to the RS team. "Together we will protect our homelands, and help the Afghan people build a more stable and secure future. This will be our most important legacy and tribute to our fallen heroes."
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