The selection of Lt. Gen. John W. “Mick” Nicholson Jr.is expected to be announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday.
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The U.S. general nominated to take over as the new top commander of the U.S. war in Afghanistan said on Thursday that security there has deteriorated, and promised a detailed assessment of how many American troops will be needed within 90 days of taking the job. His father, retired Army Brig.
Nicholson said it will “take some time” before the Afghanistan security forces are self-sustaining militarily.
Nicholson’s nomination could go before the full Senate for vote as early as next week. Mark S. Kirk (R.-Ill.).
He told the Senate Armed Services Committee he will have a better sense of conditions in Afghanistan within a few months if he is confirmed by the Senate.
Nicholson served three tours in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012.
Nicholson then rose up the Army’s ranks to become commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation land forces.
Cook said: “He knows what it means to lead a responsive and nimble force, and how to build the capacity of our partners to respond to immediate and long-term threats, and remain adaptable to confront evolving challenges”.
“My priorities are to protect the USA homeland, and to enable Afghans to secure their country”, he said. Afghan forces and U.S. Special Operations troops combined to destroy the camp in a multi-day operation in October. He served as commanding general at Fort Campbell from 2009 to 2011.
Campbell recently said he would like to see the 9,800 troop level kept there as long as possible, and when asked Thursday by SASC Charmian John McCain (R-Ariz.) if he agreed with Campbell’s assessment, Nicholson said he did. He cited recent battlefield successes by the Taliban, which he said is being aided with weapons from Iran, and the presence of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan.
In 2015, Afghan forces suffered a record number of casualties, with about 16,000 soldiers and police having been killed or wounded over the course of the year, up from 12,500 in 2014.
Nicholson said he views the terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan as a serious problem.
According to the Dawn, a senior Pentagon official said that the local need air support, intelligence and help with logistics.
There are about 9,800 troops in Afghanistan.
There has been no change in the drawdown plan, Cook said.
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The general chosen by Barack Obama to command the Afghanistan war through the end of his presidency has signaled an intention to intensify counter-terrorism efforts and re-evaluate the schedule for troop reductions.
