NDIA signs letter calling for collaboration in Afghanistan drawdown

Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group load munitions into an A-10 Warthog aircraft at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

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ARLINGTON, VA -- The National Defense Industrial Association wants the departments of Defense and State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to examine “significant impacts” on contractors as U.S. military forces look to withdraw completely from Afghanistan by mid-September, the Arlington, Virginia, trade group announced today, May 14.

In a May 13 letter signed with the Professional Services Council and the International Stability Operations Association, NDIA notes contractors have worked side by side with government and military personnel in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years; that should be considered as things change. These groups outline several questions to ensure a smooth exit from the region as well as post-drawdown efforts to foster stability there.

The associations also suggest two collaboration forums, one in Kabul and one in the United States, between U.S. officials and their government contracting partners. These would foment better communications among the contractors and defense officials.

“We want to help ensure that the U.S. drawdown in Afghanistan is carefully planned and successfully executed with due consideration given to contractor concerns,” the letter states, as well as to support post-drawdown efforts. “As you know, these issues and actions affect deployments and interests globally.”

The letter, available here, was addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

For media queries, please contact Evamarie Socha at esocha@NDIA.org.