U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

89–011 2009

111th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 111–79 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, 

TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENTS OF U.S. ARMED FORCES 

EQUIPPED FOR COMBAT 

COMMUNICATION 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRANSMITTING

A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH 

THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE 

CONGRESS IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON U.S. MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR ON TERROR AND KOSOVO, 

PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93–148 

DECEMBER 19, 2009.—Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 

ordered to be printed 


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THE WHITE HOUSE, 

Washington, December 16, 2009. 

Hon. NANCY PELOSI, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent 

with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148), as part of 

my efforts to keep the Congress informed about global deployments 

of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat. This supplemental report covers ongoing U.S. contingency operations overseas. 

Since October 7, 2001, the United States has conducted combat 

operations in Afghanistan against al-Qa’ida terrorists and their 

Taliban supporters, and has deployed various combat-equipped 

forces to a number of locations in the Central, Pacific, European, 

Southern, and Africa Command areas of operation in support of 

those and other overseas operations. These operations and deployments remain ongoing and were previously reported consistent 

with Public Law 107–40 and the War Powers Resolution. 

In response to the terrorist threat, I will direct additional measures, as necessary, in the exercise of the right of the United States 

to self-defense and to protect U.S. citizens and interests. Such 

measures may include short-notice deployments of special operations and other forces for sensitive operations in various locations 

throughout the world. It is not possible to know at this time the 

precise scope or the duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed 

Forces necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the United 

States. 

United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 

international partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to 

pursue al-Qa’ida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-Qa’ida. 

These operations have been successful in seriously degrading alQa’ida’s capabilities. United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous international partners, brought an end to the 

Taliban’s leadership of Afghanistan. Our forces are actively pursuing and engaging remaining al-Qa’ida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The total number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is approximately 68,000, of which over 34,000 are assigned to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The 

U.N. Security Council authorized ISAF in U.N. Security Council 

Resolution 1386 on December 20, 2001, and has reaffirmed its authorization since that time, most recently for a 12-month period 

from October 13, 2009, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1890 on 

October 8, 2009. The mission of ISAF, under NATO command and 

in partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is to conduct population-centric counterinsurgency operations, enable expanded and effective Afghan National Security 


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Forces, and support improved governance and development in 

order to protect the Afghan people and provide a secure environment for sustainable security. Presently, 43 nations contribute to 

ISAF, including all 28 NATO Allies. 

The United States continues to detain several hundred al-Qa’ida 

and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a continuing threat 

to the United States and its interests. The combat-equipped forces 

deployed since January 2002 to Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, 

Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area of operation, continue 

to conduct secure detention operations for the approximately 230 

detainees at Guantanamo Bay under Public Law 107–40 and consistent with principles of the law of war. 

The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force 

(MNF) in Iraq, under unified command, in U.N. Security Council 

Resolution 1511 on October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its authorization in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 on June 8, 2004, 

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 on November 8, 2005, U.N. 

Security Council Resolution 1723 on November 28, 2006, and U.N. 

Security Council Resolution 1790 on December 18, 2007; the authorization was not renewed in 2009. Since the expiration of the 

authorization and mandate for the MNF in U.N. Security Council 

Resolution 1790 on December 31, 2008, U.S. forces have continued 

operations to support Iraq in its efforts to maintain security and 

stability in Iraq pursuant to the bilateral Agreement Between the 

United States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of 

Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq, which 

entered into force on January 1, 2009. These contributions have included, but have not been limited to, assisting in building the capability of the Iraqi security forces, supporting the development of 

Iraq’s political institutions, improving local governance, enhancing 

ministerial capacity, and providing critical humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqis. The United States contribution of forces to the Iraq mission fluctuates over time, depending 

on the conditions in theater as determined by the commanders on 

the ground; the present U.S. contribution is approximately 116,000 

U.S. military personnel. 

In furtherance of U.S. efforts against terrorists who pose a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its friends, its 

allies, and our forces abroad, the United States continues to work 

with partners around the globe. These efforts include the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped forces to assist in enhancing the 

counterterrorism capabilities of our friends and allies. United 

States combat-equipped forces continue to be located in the Horn 

of Africa region. 

In addition, the United States continues to conduct maritime 

interception operations on the high seas in the areas of responsibility of all of the geographic combatant commands. These maritime operations are aimed at stopping the movement, arming, and 

financing of international terrorists. 

As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, the U.N. Security Council 

authorized Member States to establish a NATO-led Kosovo Force 

(KFOR) in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 on June 10, 


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1999. The original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and, 

when necessary, enforce compliance with the Military Technical 

Agreement between NATO and the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), while maintaining a safe and secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, with local authorities and international institutions, contributes to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment. 

Currently, 24 NATO Allies contribute to KFOR. Eight non-NATO 

countries also participate by providing military and other support 

personnel. The United States contribution to KFOR is about 1,475 

U.S. military personnel, or approximately 11 percent of the total 

strength of approximately 12,500 personnel. The United States 

forces participating in KFOR have been assigned to the eastern region of Kosovo, but also have operated in other areas of the country 

based on mission requirements. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for 

KFOR generally, helping to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement remain the principal military 

tasks. KFOR operates under NATO command and control and rules 

of engagement, and coordinates with and supports the European 

Union (EU)-led International Civilian Office and the EU Rule of 

Law Mission, within its means and capabilities. KFOR provides a 

security presence in towns, villages, and the countryside, and organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas to provide security, to 

protect all segments of Kosovo’s population, and to help instill a 

feeling of confidence across all ethnic communities throughout 

Kosovo. 

NATO periodically conducts formal reviews of KFOR’s mission. 

These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force levels, future requirements, and recommendations for adjustments to 

KFOR’s force structure and eventual withdrawal. NATO adopted 

the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and rationalize its 

force structure in the Balkans. 

The Kosovo Police has primary responsibility for public safety 

and policing throughout Kosovo. KFOR also offers as-needed security assistance in response to civil unrest. KFOR augments security 

in particularly sensitive areas or in response to particular threats 

as events on the ground dictate. 

In January 2009, the Government of Kosovo established the 

Kosovo Security Force (KSF). Separately, the Government of 

Kosovo began the process of dissolving the Kosovo Protection Corps 

(KPC). The KSF is a lightly armed, civilian-led security force that 

provides crisis response, explosive ordnance disposal, and civil protection. The newly formed Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force 

provides civilian oversight and control for the KSF. KFOR provides 

technical and policy guidance to the KSF and assists with recruiting for new members, chairing selection boards that identify former 

KPC members suitable for service in the KSF, supervising NATO 

standard training programs for new recruits, and coordinating KSF 

equipment purchases and donations. 

I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of 

these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct 

the foreign relations of the United States and as Commander in 

Chief and Chief Executive. Officials of my Administration and I 

communicate regularly with the leadership and other Members of 


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Congress with regard to these deployments, and we will continue 

to do so. 

Sincerely, 

BARACK OBAMA. 

Æ 


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