As the U.S. military in Afghanistan transitions from ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) to Operation Resolute Support in 2015, it is still a dangerous environment. There will be about 10,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan at the start of 2015. And the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas will continue to support the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines with care packages.
Though Operation Resolute Support may be defined as a non-combat role, U.S. troops may engage in combat when threatened, when conducting air support, or when targeting al-Qaida elements. There are also the many ever-present dangers of daily life inside and outside the bases in Afghanistan.
The change to a non-combat role "may be largely semantics" according to a Stars and Stripes article (12/16/2014): NATO mission in Afghanistan unlikely to change much
"Obama recently signed an order opening the door to continued American combat operations in coming years, such as when troops are threatened. Also, the coalition told Stars and Stripes recently it intends to provide air support to Afghan units if requested. A certain number of special operations units will also be tasked with combating any al-Qaida elements."
"But combat, while less of a focus, has remained a constant possibility for the heavily armed NATO service members in Afghanistan. Now, the continuing — and in some areas increasing — violence in Afghanistan, aimed both at Afghan forces and at foreigners, means foreign troops will still face daily risks."
"On Sunday, the Department of Defense identified two American soldiers who died Friday in an attack near Bagram Air Field north of Kabul ... when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle."
"Such incidents, as well as so-called insider attacks by Afghan forces, are likely to remain a daily concern for troops, even if they aren’t engaged in offensive combat operations."
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