Written on April 29, 2011 at 11:32 am by

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills

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Major General Richard P. Mills Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

We recently held a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, who served as Commander, Regional Command (Southwest) and I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan from April 2010 to April 2011. On Tuesday, May 3, Mills discussed his experiences in Afghanistan’s Helmand and Nimruz provinces, the evolving security situation there, and challenges that remain.

Maj. Gen. Mills assumed command in Afghanistan in the immediate wake of Operation Moshtarak in Marja, which came under heightened scrutiny when security and development were slower in emerging than previously forecast. Maj. Gen. Mills and his coalition staff stayed the course. He reorganized his battle space, changing established procedures and protocols. He kept intense pressure on the insurgents throughout the year, allowing no rest and refit to the enemy. Most important, he developed and nurtured meaningful, close working relationships with his Afghan counterparts in both Helmand and Nimruz. He ensured their involvement and commitment across the security and development spectrum.

Listen to the podcast.

Read the transcript.

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