Sen. Begich Plans Trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan

Published April 14, 2009

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- As part of his responsibilities to Alaska's troops and service on the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today said that he soon will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan and Qatar for briefings by military commanders, local officials and to meet with Alaska troops deployed in the regions.

Begich made the announcement during his first address to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature. The senator said, he plans to make the trip with a handful of other senators within the next couple of months.

"I support President Obama's policy of gradual troop withdrawal from Iraq while we increase the presence of Americans and our allies in Afghanistan," Sen. Begich said. "But I remain concerned about whether we're providing our troops adequate resources to get the job done."

"With nearly 30,000 active military men and women in our state and two wars underway, it is vital we look out for the interests of Alaska's troops," he said.