Bipartisan Group Urges Accelerated Transition of Forces

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today joined a bipartisan group of 27 senators in sending a letter to President Obama calling for a shift in strategy in Afghanistan ahead of next month's announced deadline to begin an accelerated transition to Afghan security forces. In the letter, the senators urge the President to use the deadline as an opportunity to begin a “sizable and sustained” drawdown of troops that puts the U.S. on a path toward removing all regular combat troops from the country.

In their letter, the senators noted that the primary objectives for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan have been largely met – including the removal of the Taliban government that sheltered al Qaeda, the killing of Osama bin Laden and the disruption of terrorist networks allied with Al Qaeda and those who planned the Sept. 11th attacks on the United States. Noting those successes and the ability to pursue counter-terrorism and humanitarian goals without a massive nation-building effort, the senators wrote, “the costs of prolonging the war far outweigh the benefits. It is time for the United States to shift course in Afghanistan.”

“We urge you to follow through on the pledge you made to the American people to begin redeployment of U.S. forces from Afghanistan this summer, and to do so in a manner that is sizable and sustained, and includes combat troops as well as logistical and support forces. We look forward to working with you to pursue a strategy in Afghanistan that makes our nation stronger and more secure,” the letter reads.

The full text of the letter is below:

June 15, 2011

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write to express our strong support for a shift in strategy and the beginning of a sizable and sustained reduction of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, beginning in July 2011.

In 2001 the United States rightfully and successfully intervened in Afghanistan with the goals of destroying al Qaeda's safe haven, removing the Taliban government that sheltered al Qaeda, and pursuing those who planned the September 11 attacks on the United States. Those original goals have been largely met and today, as CIA Director Leon Panetta noted last June, "I think at most, we're looking at maybe 50 to 100, maybe less" al Qaeda members remaining in Afghanistan.

In addition, over the past few years, U.S. forces have killed or captured dozens of significant al Qaeda leaders. Then, on May 2, 2011, American Special Forces acting under your direction located and killed Osama bin Laden. The death of the founder of al Qaeda is a major blow that further weakens the terrorist organization.

From the initial authorization of military force through your most recent State of the Union speech, combating al Qaeda has always been the rationale for our military presence in Afghanistan. Given our successes, it is the right moment to initiate a sizable and sustained reduction in forces, with the goal of steadily redeploying all regular combat troops.

There are those who argue that rather than reduce our forces, we should maintain a significant number of troops in order to support a lengthy counter-insurgency and nation building effort. This is misguided. We will never be able to secure and police every town and village in Afghanistan. Nor will we be able to build Afghanistan from the ground up into a Western-style democracy.

Endemic corruption in Afghanistan diverts resources intended to build roads, schools, and clinics, and some of these funds end up in the hands of the insurgents. Appointments of provincial and local officials on the basis of personal alliances and graft leads to deep mistrust by the Afghan population. While it is a laudable objective to attempt to build new civic institutions in Afghanistan, this goal does not justify the loss of American lives or the investment of hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars.

Instead of continuing to be embroiled in ancient local and regional conflicts in Afghanistan, we must accelerate the transfer of responsibility for Afghanistan's development to the Afghan people and their government. We should maintain our capacity to eliminate any new terrorist threats, continue to train the Afghan National Security Forces, and maintain our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. However, these objectives do not require the presence of over 100,000 American troops engaged in intensive combat operations.

Mr. President, according to our own intelligence officials, al Qaeda no longer has a large presence in Afghanistan, and, as the strike against bin Laden demonstrated, we have the capacity to confront our terrorist enemies with a dramatically smaller footprint. The costs of prolonging the war far outweigh the benefits. It is time for the United States to shift course in Afghanistan.

We urge you to follow through on the pledge you made to the American people to begin the redeployment of U.S. forces from Afghanistan this summer, and to do so in a manner that is sizable and sustained, and includes combat troops as well as logistical and support forces.

We look forward to working with you to pursue a strategy in Afghanistan that makes our nation stronger and more secure.

Sincerely,

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Nearly 20 Soldiers Mobilize June 21 As Part of an Embedded Training Team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/14/2011)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 20 Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan as part of an embedded training team. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A8 will be June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Illinois Military Academy at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

The BEST Soldiers will train for a brief time at Camp Atterbury, Ind., before deploying to Poland for approximately two months to train with the Polish Land Forces. The unique mission allows Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. Following the training, the Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan for a six-month mobilization. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

"This mobilization illustrates the diverse skill sets and training of our Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and the variety of missions we support in today's challenging international environment, as well as in our state and community," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "These troops are instrumental in helping train foreign Soldiers to defend their country while polishing our Guardsmen's skills."

The team will assist the Afghan government to extend its authority across the country, perform security operations and help stabilize the war-torn nation. The Soldiers will also mentor and support the Afghan National Army and support Afghan government programs to disarm illegally armed groups.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and are required to notify the Public Affairs Office by 8 a.m., June 21 or they will not be allowed access onto Camp Lincoln. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

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PLAINFIELD, IL (06/10/2011)(readMedia)-- Military flying is in the blood of the Kephart family. Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Peter Kephart of Plainfield is a fourth generation military aviator. His father retired from the Army in 1998 as a chief warrant officer (4). His grandfather retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. His great-grandfather also retired from the military. Kephart also has an uncle who is a retired colonel from the Air Force and another uncle who retired as a chief warrant officer (3) from the Army. All of the Kephart servicemembers spent their careers as aviators.

Peter, the commander of Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago, said the family ties to the military made the decision for him to join the Illinois Army National Guard easy.

"Being raised by a chief warrant officer (4), it was a foregone conclusion," Peter said. "I respected his passion and mastery of the aviation craft and actively pursued the military in order to emulate his success and tradition."

Peter's father, Marcus Kephart of Thayer, Kan., who also served with the Illinois Army National Guard's Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago, was a UH-1 Huey pilot in Vietnam. He recently concluded a 40-year career as an aviator retiring from the Army in 1998 and retiring from United Airlines as a Boeing 767 captain in 2008. Marcus said it was his dad who gave him advice that made him so successful.

"I clawed my way up from the bottom, taking my dad's advice," Marcus said. "He told me to take the jobs nobody else wants and eventually you will have the job everybody else wants. I was happy to retire as a captain flying Boeing 767s."

Marcus said he made up his mind that he would join the military before he was in kindergarten. He said it was family tradition and a heritage of aviators who influenced his interest in the military.

"I wanted to serve my country like my father did," Marcus said. "My father flew B-17s in World War II and his father flew balloons in World War I. My great uncle also fought in the Civil War."

While an aviation career was in the air, Marcus and Peter both said no one pushed them to join the military or fly an aircraft. Their biggest motivator to be successful was themselves.

"There is only self-induced pressure," Marcus said. "Every flight you try to make your best. After 40 years and 27,000 plus hours, I'm still looking for the perfect flight."

Peter admits he is very competitive and works hard to be the best.

"Self preservation is one hell of a motivating factor," Peter said. "Army aviators are generally type-A personalities. Inherent to that, they possess the self motivation and discipline required to be successful aviators."

Peter and Marcus have both deployed overseas during their military careers. During his 15-year career, Peter has deployed once, serving in Kosovo in 2008. During a career that spanned four decades, Marcus deployed to Southeast Asia in 1971 and served various duties in Germany, Honduras and Panama. He was also activated to support the relief effort during the 1993 floods.

The most influential person in many peoples' lives is their parents. Peter and Marcus both admit their fathers helped mold them into the person they are today.

"The best career advice I received from my father, is the same advice he received from his father: Live to retirement," Peter recalled. "As your career as an aviator progresses, that phrase commands greater meaning. Living to retirement means that you have successfully accomplished all of your missions. It means that you did your job right."

Photo 1: Photo submitted by Capt. Peter Kephart/ Capt. Peter Kephart of Plainfield (right), commander Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago and his father Marcus Kephart of Thayer, Kan., a retired UH-1 Huey pilot in Vietnam stand next to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Peter is a fourth generation Army aviator who has been with the Illinois Army National Guard since 1996. Peter's father retired from the Army in 1998 as a chief warrant officer (4). Both follow in the footsteps of family members that flew aircraft as part of their military career.

Photo 2: Photo submitted by Capt. Peter Kephart/ Retired Chief Warrant Officer (4) Marcus Kephart of Thayer, Kan., served in Vietnam in 1971. Kephart was a member of the Illinois Army National Guard's Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago. He was a UH-1 Huey pilot who followed in his father and grandfather's wings as an Army aviator.

Photo 3: Photo submitted by Capt. Peter Kephart/ Capt. Peter Kephart of Plainfield, commander of Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago, is a fourth generator Army aviator. His father served in Vietnam and his grandfather and great-grandfather were also members of the military aviation community.

Story by Mike Chrisman, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

By 2nd Lt. April Hawes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VA. (06/09/2011)(readMedia)-- In May, Capt. Elizabeth Roxworthy traveled to Washington, D.C., with her family to receive the nationally-recognized General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. Her detailed nomination packet showed she earned the award for her care and compassion for her Soldiers, which continued even after the award presentation.

Before they left the nation's capitol, she and her fiancé, Maj. Wyatt Bickett, both of Lake in the Hills, went to Arlington National Cemetery to visit the grave of fallen Illinois National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Kevin Grieco of Bartlett. Roxworthy never met Grieco nor was she in his chain of command. She does, however, wear the same uniform and said it was fitting to find his headstone and pay respect to him.

Along with Grieco, who was killed in action Oct. 27, 2008 while in Afghanistan with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery in Sycamore, there was another fallen Illinois National Guardsman on Roxworthy's mind: Sgt. Simone Robinson of University Park, who died March 1, 2009 after injuries sustained in Afghanistan with Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Crestwood.

"Throughout this entire process, the one person I think of daily is Sgt. Simone Robinson. Her sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all of our fallen comrades, is what really drives me to be a better person and leader for my Soldiers," said Roxworthy, who is assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 634th BSB in Sullivan. "It's hard to put into words, but her sacrifice changed my life more than anyone will ever know and this award is a tribute to Simone."

After a tour in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, Roxworthy was assigned as the rear commander of Company G, 634th and served in Crestwood while Robinson and the majority of the company deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). After Robinson was injured, Roxworthy supported her and her family until she ultimately passed away at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.

"What sets Capt. Roxworthy apart is that she truly cares about her Soldiers and her unit," said Col. Paul Hastings of Saint Charles and 33rd IBCT commander. "Her compassionate and involved approach to Soldier care is the foundation of who she is."

Hastings, who also won the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in 1996, said this was evident again in November 2010 when she spent Thanksgiving Day at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago. She was at the bedside of Sgt. Emiliano Perez, also with Company G. Perez was hospitalized due to a non-combat related condition and passed away the next day.

Roxworthy found out she won the award March 1, which recognizes company grade commissioned and warrant officers who demonstrate duty, honor and country; the same values MacArthur stood for. Roxworthy is the first female from Illinois to earn this award.

She was first nominated for the award by the then 634th BSB Commander Lt. Col. Eric Little, of Springfield and director of property and fiscal operations for the Illinois National Guard. He said Roxworthy's dedication to Soldiers, their families and her community is above her rank as a junior officer.

"The national award shows that what we nominated her for was true," Little said. "Her dedication and desire to ensure her Soldiers at the company level were taken care of was instrumental to the company's success."

Once winners are announced, they travel to Washington, D.C., for the presentation of the award by the Chief of the Staff of the Army. Roxworthy had the opportunity to be presented the award twice, by two different Chiefs of Staff.

Roxworthy was first presented the award at the Illinois Army National Guard's Senior Leadership Conference April 30 in Chicago by, now retired, Gen. George Casey. She then was officially presented the award during a ceremony at the Pentagon by Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chief of Staff of the Army. During the presentation she also met Lt. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard.

Along with Bickett, who is assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company of the 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Machesney Park, Roxworthy's parents and niece attended the ceremony and met Dempsey. Hastings and Lt. Col. Charles Kitson, of Springfield and current 634th BSB commander, also attended.

"It was such a wonderful experience; one that I will never forget. It was really neat to be able to bring my family there with me," Roxworthy said. "Everyone really paid tribute to recognizing us for the award; everyone from the battalion leadership all the way to the Army Chief of Staff."

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