By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball

ISAF Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan – The first-ever female spokesperson for the International Security Assistance Force joined the Afghan Ministry of Defense spokesman during a news conference today at the Government Media and Information Center here.

Canadian Forces Brig. Gen. Christine Whitecross, the ISAF deputy chief of communication, spoke alongside Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Mohammad Azimi as they updated the press on the current security situation in Afghanistan.

“The number of voting sites has been reduced,” said Azimi. “938 centers have been removed for security reasons.”

Azimi also spoke about a rumor that some ANA soldiers are escaping from duty.

“We are investigating and trying to find out the reasons why they left duty,” said Azimi. “There are a number of ANA soldiers who have been removed from duty because of injury or illness. In total, 6 to 9 percent of our people are not on duty. According to international standards, this is normal.”

The general concluded by relaying that the Government of Pakistan recently thanked the Afghan Government for their support during the floods.

“We have some helicopters in Pakistan right now,” he said. “They are doing a good job.”

Whitecross began her remarks by saying that every day, throughout Afghanistan, the Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF forces are increasing the pressure on insurgents.

“Over the last few days, we witnessed an unsuccessful attack on outposts in the border province of Khost,” she said. “As we have done elsewhere, Afghan and Coalition forces easily repelled the attack, killing 31 insurgents.”

She said that despite their use of suicide bombers, improvised explosive devices, criminal networks and foreign support, the insurgents are unable to cause significant damage.

“Insurgents are no longer trying to gain the trust of the Afghan people; instead they are trying to intimidate them into silence,” said Whitecross.

The Afghan and Coalition force’s ultimate goal is to create a secure and stable environment that allows for effective governance and economic development.

“This is, of course, a challenge – but a challenge that is being faced every day by the ANSF and our Coalition partners across Afghanistan.”

This month, more than 1,000 ANA soldiers graduated from the special operations training center.

“These soldiers will form the nucleus of the final Commando Kandak,” said Whitecross. “They are enthused to put their training to the test; we are excited to welcome them as our operational partners. This is a significant milestone, and one which signals the continued maturing of the Afghan special operations forces into a fully-manned and highly capable fighting force.”

The general also spoke of other successes, such as the 201^st ANA Corps planning, leading and executing a series of complex operations that defeated insurgents in the area and Afghan aviators completing their first mission using night-vision goggles.

“Albeit all the advancements we’ve been making, there are still challenges ahead,” she said. “As always, we stand ready to support our Afghan partners as they push forward.”