Troops return as Obama's decision looms
Updated
The US President, Barack Obama is set to reveal the most critical and strategic decision yet of his presidency - whether he'll approve a massive escalation of America's involvement in Afghanistan.
There seems little doubt he'll send more troops in, adding to the burden on an already strained military.
Presenter: Lisa Millar
Speakers: Captain Mike Snowden, US soldier; Colin Maas, US soldier; Fatima Shahib's, sister of US soldier; Frank Pedigo, father of US soldier
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LISA MILLAR: The crowd is rugged up against the early morning chill. They clutch balloons and posters that read "we love you daddy", "welcome home", even "will you marry me now".
At 3:15 am, the plane touches down on this Kentucky army base unloading its cargo of 237 soldiers, home from Afghanistan after 12 months.
(Sound of cheering and yelling)
They're with the 159th battalion supporting US air operations on the eastern Afghanistan-Pakistan border. They're returning at a critical moment in the debate over this eight year war. But for men like Captain Mike Snowden whatever the President announces in his speech this week will make little difference.
MIKE SNOWDEN: I'll go back as many times as we need to. I think what we're doing there is huge in the sense of stability for that region. So personally I don't mind going back at all and I know everyone I've served with feels the same way.
LISA MILLAR: Colin Maas is back home with his wife Amanda and two children but knows another deployment will come around quickly.
COLIN MAAS: I joined the army knowing it was a sacrifice as well as, money and time so if that's what the President feels need to be done then I'll support him. It's my job and I don't take it lightly.
LISA MILLAR: An increasing number of Americans are losing faith in the battle in Afghanistan and doubt can be heard creeping into the voices of the families who are left behind.
Fatima Shahib's brother Mohammed is already on his third deployment.
FATIMA SHAHIB: Everybody in America thinks about whether or not troops have to go or not so we're listening just as attentively as Australians.
LISA MILLAR: How will you feel whether he says ok whether another 30,000 to 35,000 have to go?
FATIMA SHAHIB: Well if he says that it will definitely be a dampener on everybody's spirit but, you know, we just try to keep, you know, peace and try to keep our hopes up and know that they'll be finished, you know, whatever they're doing soon and just pray for that.
LISA MILLAR: Frank Pedigo is here waiting for his youngest son. His other son is about to deploy.
FRANK PEDIGO: Well at least we've got a President who is using his head. I mean, he's thinking about why we're there and thinking about winning - not just send over a whole bunch of people over like the last one did and hope something comes out.
LISA MILLAR: They'll all be listening when the President reveals his plans for Afghanistan in a speech delivered from the historic West Point Military Academy. He'll have to convince not only these military families, but Americans at large that there is an end in sight.
