An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Feb. 15, 2011

Petraeus visits Red Bull Division, Laghman Province leaders

By Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson Combined Joint Task Force 101

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, International Security Assistance Force commander, met with leaders of the 34th Infantry “Red Bulls” Division from the Iowa National Guard Feb. 7 in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, in a visit which focused on maintaining security in the Laghman Province and increasing economic development in the region.

“I want to assure you that I am not only a ‘professor of war’ as some journalists in the United States labeled me, I am also a former professor of economics,” Petraeus told a group of leaders from the Red Bulls, as well as other military and local government officials during a lunch hosted by Laghman Province Gov. Mohammed Iqbal Azizi in Mehtar Lam.

“I know that we must not only achieve security – we must then build on that foundation with economic development and improvements in basic services and all the other activities that are necessary for the people to support this government,” Patraeus said.

The 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment of the Red Bulls is the battle space owner of Laghman Province and works closely with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National and Uniform Police to provide security in the province.

Petraeus began his visit with a meeting between Red Bulls military leaders, as well as leaders of the Laghman Province Provincial Reconstruction Team, the Kansas Agribusiness Development Team and other units from nearby Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam who work with the local population.

Petraeus was briefed on operations the units are conducting with their Afghan counterparts in key terrain areas and throughout the province.

“At the end of the day ... you have to go after the enemy wherever the enemy is – he doesn’t care whether it’s key terrain or non-key terrain,” Petraeus said. “If they can disrupt whatever it is you’re doing, that’s a problem. We cannot let them have safe-havens anywhere we can prevent it.”

After the morning meeting, Petraeus visited with Azizi at his compound. The governor expressed his happiness and gratitude for the coalition’s efforts in the province.

“The team working with me is exceeding my expectations,” Azizi said. “They are very precise.”

Petraeus told the governor the coalition is working to minimize damage to the infrastructure of the province as military operations continue. He said one of the ways he plans to do this is by planting more trees.

“We have destroyed trees as part of military operations, that’s something that’s inescapable,” Petraeus said. “But we will plant many, many more. I am going to have an order that says if you cut one tree, you plant two more somewhere else.”

Petraeus said the highlight of his visit to the province was his visit to the Mastoori Girls School in Mehtar Lam, where Azizi took him after their meeting at the governor’s compound. There he met some of the more than 2,500 girls who attend the school, as well as one of their teachers.

“The most enjoyable moment of the day for me was seeing the young girls at the school and hearing the excitement in their voices about the education they’re now receiving -- something that was impossible in the days of the Taliban,” Petraeus said.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air Force Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Peck, officer of information technology with 242nd Combat Communications Squadron, Washington Air National Guard, operates a small unmanned aircraft system during Exercise Phoenix Dawn 2025 at Saylor Creek Range near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, May 6, 2025. The 194th Wing's inaugural class of Warrant Officers are paving the way by re-establishing the role in the Air Force and setting standards for future generations.
Washington Air Guard’s Warrant Officers Pave Way
By Airman 1st Class Jordaan Kvale, | May 29, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Washington – The 194th Wing’s warrant officers are not only breaking new ground — they’re laying the foundation for generations to come.For the first time in more than 65 years, the Air Force reintroduced warrant...

Airmen with the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force work alongside their RTAF counterparts in small groups to finalize their respective training objectives at the Enduring Partners 2025 final planning conference in Spokane, Wash., May 20, 2025. The working groups focused on areas such as air operations, ground-controlled interception, Air Force Special Warfare, cyber, combat communication, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief medical logistics, intel, and space.
Royal Thai Air Force, Washington Guard Finalize Plans for Enduring Partners 2025
By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon, | May 29, 2025
SPOKANE, Wash. – Airmen with the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force assembled in western Washington May 19-24 to finalize plans for Enduring Partners 2025, an exercise involving RTAF and the Washington...

Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...