and major general steven townsend, director of the pakistan-afghanistan coordination cell. gentlemen, thanks so much for the dissipation. thank you for your service to our country. we look forward to your testimony on plans for training and equipping the afghan national security force and the details about the protective size, related rationale of the ansf in the near and long-term. many of us on the committee have just returned from a congressional trip to afghanistan. and during our visit we traveled to several provinces and met with local leaders, including chiefs of police and a number of provinces. we also have the opportunity to talk to the military commanders on the ground who provided their impressions of the level of support that will be needed to create a self-sustaining ansf. it is my hope that our witnesses today can provide for the context on these important issues. as administrative note, i recognize as members of other subcommittees will join us. pursuant to the committee rules i were recognize these members after all subcommittee members have had an opportun