BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (AP) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was meeting Sunday with American military commanders in Afghanistan to discuss progress Afghan forces are making as the U.S. looks to pull all but about 10,000 troops out of the country by the end of the year.
His visit comes in the emotional aftermath of the successful release of America's only prisoner of war in Afghanistan, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, and just days after President Barack Obama announced the drawdown that will leave fewer than 1,000 U.S. forces in the country by the end of 2016.
Hagel told reporters traveling with him that he wants to hear about what the Afghans are doing and how well they are improving their air force. He also wants to learn more about the government's ability to sustain and equip its forces.
Despite optimistic reports from top military commanders about how far the Afghan security forces have come, there are still nagging doubts and frustration with the slow progress the higher level headquarters and ministries have made in setting up long-range budgeting and logistics capabilities.