Order Code RS22633 Updated November 3, 27 U.S. Forces in Afghanistan JoAnne O Bryant and Michael Waterhouse Information Research Specialists Knowledge Services Group Summary As interest in troop level deployments continues, President Bush announced in a February 15, 27, speech the Administration s plans for an increase in U.S. forces in Afghanistan, including a planned gradual increase of 3,2 U.S. troops on the ground in the coming several months. This report provides official Department of Defense (DOD) statistical information on U.S. forces now serving in Afghanistan with comparisons to earlier force levels. It also provides brief official information on the military units extended or scheduled for the next rotation of duty into Afghanistan. As of November 1, 27, according to DOD, the United States had 24,474 troops stationed in Afghanistan 21,22 active component and 3,272 National Guard or Reserves. They are serving in two missions a NATO-led peacekeeping mission and a separate U.S.-led combat effort called Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). For security reasons, DOD does not routinely report the composition, size, or specific destination of military forces deployed to the Persian Gulf. This report will be updated upon receipt of new DOD data. For additional information on U.S. forces, see CRS Report RL3588, Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security and U.S. Policy by Kenneth Katzman, and CRS Report RL3353, U.S. and Coalition Military Operations in Afghanistan: Issues for Congress, by Andrew Feickert. Force Levels As of November 1, 27, according to Department of Defense (DOD), the United States had 24,474 military personnel deployed in Afghanistan. Of these, 21,22 were active component personnel and 3,272 were National Guard and Reserves. Figures 1 and 2 provide the distribution by armed service of active component personnel. These totals do not include 12, military support personnel in Kuwait, or naval personnel aboard ships patrolling through the Persian Gulf. 1 1 DOD Fact Sheet, Global Commitments, Jan. 9, 27.
CRS-2 Amid concerns about U.S. troop levels, in a February 15, 27, speech, President Bush announced an extension of deployment for more than 3,2 U.S. troops in Afghanistan over the next several months as part of a new initiative in ongoing efforts to stabilize the security situation and to confront a resurgent Taliban. These forces are to be added to the personnel stationed in Afghanistan as reported by DOD on March 1, 27. Additional deployment information is available from DOD s Directorate for Information Operations, which posts quarterly reports on casualties and worldwide active duty military personnel deployments by region and country online at [http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/military/miltop.htm]. Figure 1. Active Component Personnel in Afghanistan (as of November 1, 27) 16, 14, 12, 15,88 8, 6, 4,26 4, 2, 944 424 Army Air Force Navy Marine Corps Figure 2. Reserve Component Personnel in Afghanistan (as of November 1, 27) Army NG Air NG Army Rv 514 1,291 1,151 Air Rv 24 Navy Rv 17 Marine Rv 5 2 4 6 8 1, 1,2 1,4
CRS-3 Comparative U.S. Force Levels. Overall U.S. force levels in Afghanistan have been increasing since 26, in both active duty and the reserve components. Based on DOD statistics, Figures 3 through 7 provide comparative data on both active and reserve component force levels. Data in the figures below include month-to-month and year-toyear comparisons of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. DOD officials have declined to project the timing or size of future force reductions, stating these will depend upon the security situation within Afghanistan. Of the forces shown, about 6% serve in the NATO-led peacekeeping force called the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and the remainder continue to serve under direct U.S. command in counter-terrorism combat missions and Afghan security forces training. This mission is called Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The U.S. forces under NATO command have served in that capacity since October 26, when NATO/ISAF took over peacekeeping responsibility for all of Afghanistan. Figure 3. Comparative OEF Active Component Force Levels (February 26/November 27) 16, 14, 12, 8, 6, 4, 2, 15,88 Feb-6 Nov-7 11,398 4,26 2,356 316 944 1,171 424 Arm y Navy AF MC Figure 4. Comparative OEF Active Component Force Levels (February 26/November 27) 3,5 3, 2,5 3,391 Feb-6 Nov-7 2, 1,5 1,291 1,278 1,151 1, 5 514 261 11 24 4 17 12 5 Army NG Air NG Army Rv Air Rv Navy Rv Marine Rv
CRS-4 Figure 5. Comparative U.S. Force Levels in Afghanistan (February 26-December 26) Source: Department of Defense, Office of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Boots on Ground data, November 1, 25, through January 1, 27. Figure 6. Comparative U.S. Force Levels in Afghanistan (January 27 - November 27) 3, 25, 2, 15, 24,845 24,6 23,881 2,947 26,48 24,31 24,8 25,876 24,56 24,615 24,474 5, Jan-7 Feb-7Mar-7 Apr-7 May-7Jun-7 Jul-7 Aug-7 Sep- 7 Oct-7 Nov-7 Source: Department of Defense, Office of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Boots on Ground data, January 1, 27, through November 1, 27.
CRS-5 Figure 7. Comparative U.S. Force Levels in Afghanistan (Years 26 and 27) 3, 25, 2, 15, 5, 2,299 24,474 - Feb 26 Nov 27 U.S. Troop Rotations for Afghanistan. On May 9, August 1, and October 19 27, DOD announced its latest scheduled troop deployment adjustments and schedule for rotations to Afghanistan in conjunction with the two missions under which they serve. This 28 schedule for the affected regular Army and National Guard units is summarized in Table 1 below. Rotations for Army units normally last for 15 months. Table 1. Operation Enduring Freedom Rotational Units Army Military Unit Home Military Base 28 Transitions 11 st Airborne Division Headquarters Fort Campbell, KY Early 28 4th Brigade Combat Team, 11 st Airborne Division 27 th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Army National Guard 33 rd Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard Fort Campbell, KY Early 28 Syracuse, NY Early to Mid 28 Urbana, IL Late 28 Source: Department of Defense News Releases May 9, August 1, and October 19, 27.