ISAF Commander inspects new rocket system in east Afghanistan

ISAF Commander inspects new rocket system in east Afghanistan

The commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Gen. John R. Allen, visited troops Thursday in eastern Afghanistan and inspected a newly deployed rocket system there, an ISAF press release issued on Friday said.

General Allen's visit "included a capabilities brief and readiness inspection of the emplaced High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS," said the statement. "The HIMARS is a light multiple rocket launcher capable of long-range precision fire, which results in a low chance of injuring innocents who are endangered by terrorists operating or living close by."

The HIMARS, produced by Lockheed Martin, is estimated to have been acquired by the U.S. troops since 2002 while fielding began in 2005.

"Offering Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) firepower on a wheeled chassis, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is the newest member of the MLRS launcher family," the Lockheed Martin's website introduces the system and claims that the system "was successfully combat-tested in Operation Iraqi Freedom."

In Afghanistan, the HIMARS has been reported to be used in the south, while the press release said "HIMARS has been used to great effect in Afghanistan."

"The HIMARS is a very discriminating and impressive weapon," said Gen. Allen. "Being an all-weather, day or night capability allows our forces to strike at targets very precisely and without warning, as necessary."

Gen. Allen's visit to east Afghanistan also included meetings to receive updated briefings, the inspection of the readiness of weapon systems, and to visit personnel.

"I am continually reminded as to the superior quality of our ISAF personnel assigned throughout Afghanistan," said Gen. Allen. "And the men and women of ISAF are capable of taking on any task assigned to protect the peace-loving citizens of this country from insurgent threats."

"General Allen conducts battlefield circulation throughout Afghanistan, visiting ISAF and Afghan National Security Force personnel, provincial government leaders and village elders. These missions provide necessary on-the-ground awareness for the coalition commander," the release said.

ISAF is comprised of 49 Allied and other contributing nations, totaling approximately 130,000 personnel, the press release updated the number of the ISAF troops in Afghanistan. Since July, parts of the ISAF troops have started withdrawing procedure from Afghanistan.

According to the press release, the ongoing ISAF mission in Afghanistan includes "conducting population-centric counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces and providing support to the government and international community in security sector reform, including mentoring, training and operational support to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police."

Editor: yan

English.news.cn   2011-09-24 00:15:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Sept. 23 (Xinhua)