By Seth Helton
Murray, KY – Fort Campbell's 101st Airborne Division Chief of Staff says there are measurable advances in Afghanistan thanks to military efforts there. Colonel Pete Johnson's comments came at this morning's Power in Partnership breakfast. Colonel Johnson says the number of children attending school there increased from 1 million to 6 million including 2.2 million girls and the infant mortality rate has been dramatically reduced.
"With the combined efforts over there with Afghans, we've improved the mortality rate by 22%. That is incredible. 22 percent more kids are living through the really critical first years of their lives. To me what that represents is the future generation of Afghanistan."
Col. Johnson also pointed out the infrastructure developments under US occupation. Roads in the country have increased from 31 miles to nearly 2000. Government and security structures that had been eradicated under the Taliban have been restored and strengthened. As the United States prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan Col. Johnson is optimistic that the future generations of Afghans will continue the work started by U.S. Forces.