Left Behind: Examining The Lasting U.S. Military Presence In Afghanistan

The number of US Army and Marine Corps personnel deployed to Afghanistan has varied over the years. In 2019, it was reported that more than 775,000 US service members had been deployed to Afghanistan at least once since the war began in 2001. The Army, being the Pentagon's largest service, has deployed the most troops, with more than 491,500 soldiers serving in the country. The Marine Corps deployed about 20,000 service members during the height of the war in 2010 and 2011, with over 114,000 Marines deployed in total.

In recent years, the number of US troops in Afghanistan has decreased significantly. In 2018, President Trump authorized a more muscular strategy, increasing the number of troops to over 15,000. However, by September 2021, as the US ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan, it was reported that about 100 to 200 Americans remained in the country who intended to leave.

The number of US Army and Marine deployments to Afghanistan

The US military presence in Afghanistan has been a long-drawn affair, with troops deployed in the region for over two decades. The number of US Army and Marine deployments to Afghanistan has been substantial, with over 775,000 US service members deployed to the country at least once. Here is an overview of the US Army and Marine deployments to Afghanistan:

US Army Deployments:

• The US Army, being the Pentagon's largest service branch, has deployed the most troops to Afghanistan.
• As of 2019, more than 491,500 soldiers have served in Afghanistan, including active-duty forces, Army reservists, and National Guardsmen.
• The Army's deployments peaked in August 2010, when there were approximately 100,000 US troops in the country.
• In 2011, President Obama announced a withdrawal plan, aiming to bring home 10,000 troops by the end of that year and gradually reduce the military presence until handing over security responsibilities to the Afghans by 2014.
• The number of Army troops in Afghanistan fluctuated over the years, with 9,800 soldiers remaining as of March 2015.
• In 2016, President Obama reversed the withdrawal decision, opting to maintain a force of about 8,400 troops through the end of his term in January 2017.
• In 2021, thousands of US troops, including an Army infantry battalion, were deployed to Afghanistan to assist the State Department in reducing civilian personnel at the US embassy and facilitating visa applications for Afghans who worked with American forces.

US Marine Corps Deployments:

• The US Marine Corps has also played a significant role in Afghanistan, with over 114,000 Marines deployed to the country over the years.
• During the height of the war in 2010 and 2011, the Marine Corps deployed about 20,000 service members.
• In May 2009, as part of President Obama's surge strategy, the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment, also known as "America's Battalion," was deployed to Afghanistan, operating mainly in Helmand Province.
• In August 2021, as the Taliban advanced rapidly, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was among the first troops to bolster security at the US Embassy in Kabul and Hamid Karzai International Airport.
• The Marine presence in Afghanistan was further strengthened by the deployment of two additional battalions from the 82nd Airborne Division, along with elements of the division's headquarters.
• Throughout the US military involvement in Afghanistan, the Marine Corps has been relied upon for its rapid response capabilities and expertise in counterinsurgency operations.

The US Army and Marine Corps deployments to Afghanistan have been a central part of the US war effort in the country. The number of deployments and troops has fluctuated over the years, depending on strategic decisions, the security situation on the ground, and the political landscape.

The number of US service members who have died in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in a significant loss of life for US service members. According to various sources, the number of US military deaths in the conflict ranges from 2,300 to 2,459. These deaths occurred primarily between October 2001 and December 2014, during a period known as Operation Enduring Freedom.

Of these fatalities, a significant number were a result of hostile action. The Department of Defense lists 1,922 deaths as a direct result of hostile engagements, with 534 non-hostile deaths and 3 pending status. These numbers include service members who died in support of operations in nearby regions, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and Cuba.

The cost of war extends beyond those killed in action, as many service members returned home with physical and psychological wounds. The high suicide rates among post-9/11 war service members have led to over 30,177 suicides, exceeding the number of combat deaths by four times. The true toll of the war on mental health may be even higher, as official Pentagon numbers do not include suicides that occur after troops return home.

The war in Afghanistan has also resulted in the deaths of US civilian contractors, with estimates ranging from 3,846 to over 8,000. These contractors provided essential logistical and security support to US troops, and their losses are often underreported and unrecognized.

The conflict in Afghanistan has extracted a heavy toll on US service members and civilians alike. The true number of deaths and the lasting impact of the war may never be fully known, as the Pentagon and US government agencies continue to call for more transparent and comprehensive reporting of all casualties in war zones.

The number of US citizens remaining in Afghanistan

In the months following the withdrawal, the US government continued its efforts to evacuate US citizens from Afghanistan. By August 31, 2021, President Biden stated that around 100 to 200 Americans who intended to leave were still in the country. He assured that there was no deadline for their evacuation and that the US remained committed to getting them out.

As of March 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified that about 175 Americans were still in Afghanistan, with several being held captive by the Taliban. He also stated that the US had facilitated the evacuation of approximately 975 American citizens since the withdrawal.

By August 2023, nearly two years after the withdrawal, Blinken indicated that the administration had helped around 900 US citizens leave Afghanistan. However, an unknown number of Americans were still trapped, including some detained by the Taliban.

The exact number of US citizens remaining in Afghanistan has been difficult to determine, and the US government has faced criticism and scrutiny over its handling of the evacuation and withdrawal process.

The number of Afghan interpreters and vulnerable populations evacuated

The US government has faced mounting pressure to relocate Afghan interpreters and other vulnerable populations who aided US military operations. The Biden administration has committed to evacuating about 18,000 Afghan nationals who aided military operations, along with their families. This includes interpreters, drivers, security guards, and others who worked alongside US forces.

The evacuation efforts, dubbed Operation Allies Refuge, aim to fly Afghans to third countries while they await visa processing. These third countries could include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or a country in the Middle East or Europe. The US has also offered to accommodate Afghans in its military bases and facilities abroad.

As of July 2021, the US had evacuated about 200 Afghan interpreters and their families as the first wave of evacuations. These individuals were among a broader group of about 2,500 who were furthest along in the special immigrant visa process. The US planned to evacuate about 750 Afghans who worked for the US government directly to US soil and fly another 4,000 Afghans and their families to third countries.

The evacuation efforts have faced challenges due to the urgency of the situation and the need to coordinate with other countries. There have also been concerns about the safety of Afghans traveling to evacuation sites, especially those living outside of Kabul in regions captured or contested by the Taliban.

The exact number of Afghan interpreters and vulnerable populations evacuated is unclear, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. The evacuation efforts are ongoing, and the US has expressed its commitment to protecting those who aided its military operations.

The number of US troops securing Kabul airport

The US troops' presence in Afghanistan has been a long-drawn affair. The US first invaded Afghanistan in 2001, and the war has resulted in the deaths of about 2,400 American service members, with 20,000 more wounded.

In August 2021, the US troops' focus was on securing the Kabul airport and evacuating Americans and Afghans with special immigration visas. The evacuation efforts were led by the 82nd Airborne Division, given their expertise in seizing and securing airfields. The US troops also took charge of air traffic control at the airport.

• On August 17, 2021, about 2,500 US troops had moved into Kabul within the last 72 hours, and nearly 3,000 to 3,500 troops were expected on the ground by the end of the day.
• On August 18, 2021, Army Major General William Taylor, with the US military's Joint Staff, said that a total of 4,000 troops would be at the airport by the end of the day, with the aim of having one flight taking off per hour.
• On August 19, 2021, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that securing the airport was the paramount mission, and about 5,000 civilians had been evacuated from Afghanistan so far.
• In a press release on August 31, 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that there were roughly 4,500 US troops securing the Kabul airport.
• By September 2, 2021, about 8,000 US troops had been deployed to Afghanistan to secure the evacuations out of Kabul.

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