After withdrawing nearly 90 percent of troops from Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense is planning to maintain robust over-the-horizon capability if needed, the Pentagon spokesman said in a press briefing on Tuesday. Discussing Afghanistan support and other topics, John F. Kirby said that the Pentagon is in active discussions with the US Department regarding the nature of what that capability will be. He mentioned that there's a carrier strike group in the region and facilities throughout the Middle East that could be useful if needed. "Our commitment to the future of a stable and secure Afghanistan has not changed. It's just going to look different. We're just not going to be on the ground the way we are now," he said. Kirby also discussed other bilateral activities with Afghanistan. There are still contractors in Afghanistan providing support to their security forces and air force, he said. "We are actively working [on ways] in which that contract support can be done remotely or virtually or even physically outside the country." There was coordination with Afghan leaders, both in government as well as in the Afghan security forces, about the eventual turnover of Bagram Airfield, the seventh and final base that the US turned over to Afghan forces, he noted. — Agencies
