Afghan National Police member Abdul Nabi provides security under the watchful eye of U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Brenton Mastro, 24, the Guard Force Platoon commander for Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and native of Bedminster, N.J., during the funeral of District Chief of Police Lt. Col. Sayfullah Khan Rashidi here, Nov. 13. Amidst the challenging circumstances, 25-year-old District Governor Mohammad Fahim said Garmsir´s stability remains unshaken by Sayfulla´s death. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)

When the Marine Corps was preparing for Operation Al-Fajr in the fall of 2004, they enlisted the help of as many Iraqi soldiers as they could find, many of which turned around and went home when they discovered they would be assaulting Fallujah. They wanted to end the Iraqi insurgency as much as America and allied forces, but they lacked training and didn’t know how to fight.

Even though violence continues still today, the Iraqi government and military isn’t running anywhere. Because of the training they received from Marines and coalition forces, they can bravely and effectively stand on their own.

Likewise with Afghanistan, as congress plans the drawdown and withdrawal of troops for December 2014, Marines are training the Afghan National Army to be able to stand on their own.

Lance Cpl. Tom Morton, a 23-year-old team leader with 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and native of Nashville, Tenn., hands an Afghan child a toy during a security patrol here, Feb. 25. The Marine partnership is a vital part of preparing the Afghan National Security Forces to assume lead security responsibility in Garmsir. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)

Amid recent outbreaks of violence in retaliation of Americans burning the Koranin Afghanistan, many people have questioned the solidity of ANA’s training and the current strategy and effectiveness of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

While speaking before congress, Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command staunchly defended the current strategy in Afghanistan.

“We should not allow a few criminals, malcontents, to define the Afghan security forces,” Mattis said. “Even their performance during these last two weeks – disciplined, restrained, standing by us – is an indication that this is a force that’s come a long ways.”

Mattis stressed that the war in Afghanistan continues to be a war against terrorism.

“Al-Qaeda and associated groups continue to kill innocents from the Levant to Yemen and are adapting in the face of U.S. pressure,” Mattis said, noting the troubling development as al-Qaeda is working its way back into Iraq.

Mattis said he’s never seen the region so tumultuous in the 30 years he has supported U.S. efforts there.

“The No. 1 priority, the reason why U.S. troops are in Afghanistan in the first place, is to disrupt, dismantle and ultimately defeat al-Qaeda,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Afghan National Army soldier Taza Khan hands a bag of beef jerky to a local boy, injured by an improvised explosive device, while patrolling with U.S. Marines Jan. 5. Over the past few years, Afghan and coalition forces have operated side by side, driving insurgents from the green zones, or populated areas, of the districts in southern Helmand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)

The region remains of great strategic importance to other world powers and is vital to many of America’s most enduring national interests, Mattis said.

For this reason, even though U.S. plans on drawing down troops they will continue to support the Afghan government.

“Although we are withdrawing some ground forces from the region, we are not withdrawing our support for long-time allies and partners,” Mattis said. “Nor are we pulling back our commitment from a region that too many times has taken a commitment of American blood and treasure to restore stability.”

Since the initial push into Afghanistan, Marines have assisted in building of Afghan forces as well as many humanitarian efforts. In February, Marines trained ANA soldiers in precision firing. They’ve built bridges, repaired roads and strengthened local ties.

For Marines, they are helping to equip Afghans to stand on their own in the fight on terrorism.

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