General Takes Afghan Command in Wake of Shooting, Drawdown

Major Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) took command of Regional Command Southwest — which includes Helmand province — during a Transfer of Authority ceremony on Camp Leatherneck Monday, the unit reported in a release.

The ceremony came a day after a weekend shooting of 16 Afghan men, women and children, apparently in cold blood, allegedly by an Army staff sergeant in neighboring Kandahar Province. The event may complicate efforts to gain the support of what Gurganus says are the Americans' most important partner — the Afghan people. 

“It’s their choices that they will make in the future that's really going to be the true measure of our success,” he said.  “And I think for those that would continue to fight to destroy the possibility for that better future, I think they should know that they also have choices and they also have opportunities to be a part of the better future. So, I would ask that they weigh their options carefully and make wise choices as well.”

Another challenge will be an expected cut in some 10,000 Marines in Afghanistan by the end of 2012. The losses won’t counteract gains made by Americans because, he told reporters on Camp Pendleton in October.

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