One U.S. Soldier Costs $2.1 Million Per Year In Afghanistan

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eric Blaszkowski uses his weapon’s optic lens to scan the surrounding area from a roof top position during a partnered patrol in Madi Khel village in Khowst province, Afghanistan, Oct. 20, 2013. Blaszkowski, a forward observer, is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company E, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kamil Sztalkoper

Each U.S. Troop In Afghanistan Now Costs $2.1 Million -- Kevin Baron, Defense One

The average cost of each U.S. troop in Afghanistan will nearly double in the last year of the war to $2.1 million, according to a new analysis of the Pentagon’s budget.

For the past five years, from fiscal 2008 through 2013, the average troop cost had held steady at roughly $1.3. million. But the Pentagon’s 2014 war budget would dramatically increase that figure. The added cost, argue Defense Department officials, is a reflection of the price of sending troops and equipment back home in the drawdown.

Not so, says Center for Strategic and Budgetary Analysis’ Todd Harrison. He doesn’t buy that excuse, and argued on Thursday that the U.S. has been moving far greater amounts of troops and equipment in those previous budget years. Instead, he said, as the number of U.S. troops decline, the overhead cost to support the war and the Afghan forces that the U.S. continues to underwrite remains relatively stable.

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My Comment: I am having trouble believing that such a number is accurate. It would mean that one U.S. soldier costs over $5000/day to maintain in Afghanistan .... $5000 per day!!!!!