By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Commander: Okla. soldiers help secure Afghanistan
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade's combat team in Afghanistan says Oklahoma soldiers are making that war-torn nation more secure.
Colonel Joel Ward of Tulsa said Wednesday Oklahoma citizen-soldiers working with Afghan army and police units have helped drive Taliban insurgents from Laghman Province in far eastern Afghanistan. Ward says U.S. troops may soon not be needed in the region as security duties are to eventually be turned over to Afghan officials.
Major General Daniel Allyn is the commander of the Fort Hood-based 1st Calvary Division. He says the brigade's success demonstrates Afghan security forces can secure their country against any enemy.
About 3,000 Oklahomans are deployed in Afghanistan and Kuwait. Ward and Allyn discussed their mission during a video teleconference from Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan.