More Recruits, U.S. Arms Planned for Afghan Military

"The enemy is spreading. The enemy wants presence everywhere, to make havoc. . . . They take over districts and the police run away," Karimi, the army's operations chief, said in an interview at the Kabul Military Training Center. "Then the army goes in and takes it back, so you need more boots on the ground to cover the area."

The Afghan army has long suffered high attrition because its recruits, drawn from different ethnic groups, abandon the force to return to their tribal homelands. But reforms have lowered the rate to 14 percent, and the recent creation of regional training centers will enable the army to generate new soldiers more quickly, said Col. Michael J. McMahon, director of training for the coalition command that develops Afghan forces.

The Pentagon is also working to speed the flow of weaponry and armor to the Afghan forces, who suffer most of their casualties -- up to 90 percent, according to Afghan army officials -- in roadside bombings. The weapons include 5,000 U.S. M-16 rifles, due to arrive this month, with another 10,000 each month after that, for a total of 60,000, said Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, head of the training command.

Over the next six to eight months, the Pentagon will also double the number of the Afghan National Army Air Corps' fixed-wing aircraft with the purchase of four Antonov 32 two-engine planes, and triple the number of its helicopters, some of which could be donated, said Air Force Brig. Gen. Jay H. Lindell.

Gates, who observed Afghan forces training in Kabul, said he was impressed with their progress. Spotting one Afghan private who was particularly skilled at shooting, Gates pulled him aside. "If I'm in a foxhole, I want you next to me," Gates told Pvt. Hussein, 18, from Nardak.

"I try to learn more," Hussein replied.

Still, Afghan defense officials pressed for more military aid and trainers. "We don't have enough mentors or advisers," Gen. Bismullah Khan, the Afghan defense chief, told Gates over tea. "Our weapons are old," he said, noting that of five existing helicopters, two had crashed. "I need your prompt attention on this matter, sir."

Another American initiative seeks to increase U.S. resources for Afghan reconstruction, including civilian advisers. In Khost, U.S. regional commander Col. Martin Schweitzer told Gates that to maintain the gains in security, he needs civilian experts skilled in agriculture, education and engineering, as well as a tripling of aid funds to $400 million next year.

Repeatedly during the trip, Gates voiced frustration that other countries are not fulfilling their financial and military commitments to Afghanistan. He also bristled at NATO's failure, so far, to supply an additional 3,500 trainers for the Afghan police and two more infantry battalions, and said he planned to raise the matter at a NATO meeting in Scotland this month.

A reporter asked Gates whether he was satisfied with NATO troops' contribution. "It has been a continuing subject of discussion," he replied curtly, then headed off to catch the next helicopter.