Afghanistan, 16+ years and going.

The US is approaching a noteworthy point in its history.  In a year or two from now the US will see its first servicemember fight in Afghanistan that was not born when this war started on 9/11.  Sadly, our first post 9/11 born casualty will one day be brought home and given a ceremony at Dover AFB. I can see that being the opening story on the nightly news. Fortunately casualties are way down but this will happen, and it will not be a training accident, it will be combat.

Think about that. I have a soon to be 15 year old step son that is considering military service. If he goes this route he could find himself flying into the same airbase I did on a freezing day in 2004, when he wasn't even two years old, and I had yet to meet him. The same place where his mother served on an aircraft carrier whose F-18s provided close air support to ground units. Wow.

The next few posts may deal with our mission in Afghanistan. What are we doing? Where is it going? Does it increase our national security? Opinions, thoughts and input are welcome.

Source: Brookings institute.