Special ops first in, last out in Afghanistan war

By Kimberly Dozier

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 8 2012 12:31 a.m. MST

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Navy Adm. Bill McRaven, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, addresses the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.

Charles Dharapak, Associated Press

Summary

First in and last out — that's the current plan for U.S. special operations troops in Afghanistan, according to Adm. Bill McRaven.

WASHINGTON — First in and last out — that's the current plan for U.S. special operations troops in Afghanistan, according to Adm. Bill McRaven.

The commander of last year's Navy SEAL raid against Osama bin Laden told a Washington audience Tuesday that he has little doubt special operations will be the last to leave Afghanistan.

The top U.S. special operations commander confirmed that one option being considered could see his forces, or one of his officers, leading the mission there as conventional troops draw down.

But he stressed that no final decisions had been made by the Obama White House.

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