Predator UAV Fleet To Be Assigned To Afghanistan

Drones May Double in A'stan; Troops, Not So Much
-- Wired News

NATO's senior commander for Afghanistan was back stateside yesterday, all-but-begging for more troops, and more civilian assistance. What he may get instead is more robotic planes.

"We found we were in a heavier fight, a larger fight [t]han we had anticipated, so we asked for some immediate forces," Gen. David McKeirnan told a Pentagon press conference. "The additional military capabilities that have been asked for are needed as quickly as possible."

But the bulk of the extra troops won't be coming, any time soon. "Three additional brigades that McKiernan has requested will not be available until later in 2009, after the U.S. withdraws more forces from Iraq," the L.A. Times notes. And McKiernan's request for 3,500 trainers to help mold the Afghan Army and police "is being reviewed right now," the General said.

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My Comment: Deployment to Afghanistan will be a test on how effective these weapon systems are. The fact that the manufacturer cannot meet demand, and that commanders on the ground are screaming to have these systems in support of their troops .... tells me that the U.S. UAV fleet is very .... very effective.