Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Allegations of 'Psy-Ops' to Sway Funding for Afghan War Sparks Probe VOA News February 24, 2011 U.S. Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, head of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan, addresses a news conference in Brussels, March 3, 2010. Photo: REUTERS U.S. Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, head of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan, addresses a news conference in Brussels, March 3, 2010. The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, is looking into a report that U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan illegally used psychological tactics to manipulate U.S. lawmakers into supporting the war. In a statement Thursday, the military said Petraeus is preparing to order an investigation into the claims detailed in an article published in [1]Rolling Stone magazine. According to the article, U.S. Lieutenant General William Caldwell illegally ordered troops specializing in psychological operations, or psy-ops, to use their skills on U.S. senators visiting Afghanistan. The article says Caldwell asked the psy-ops specialists to provide detailed background reports on the lawmakers that could be used to tailor messages and gain leverage in requests for more funds and troops. Pentagon spokesman Colonel David Lapan did not deny the report, but said the facts will be determined by the investigation. Lapan said it would not necessarily be illegal or improper for a psy ops officer to be in a meeting with senators.  Those allegedly targeted in the campaign include Senators John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Jack Reed, Al Franken and Carl Levin. The article says the Czech ambassador to Afghanistan and the German interior minister were also singled out. The story also quoted one officer, Michael Holmes, as questioning the legality of the operation to military lawyers.  Rolling Stone reports Holmes later became the subject of an investigation into his personal behavior, unrelated to his work in psy-ops. The magazine also says Holmes believes he was singled out for questioning the campaign targeting U.S. officials. References 1. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/another-runaway-general-army-deploys-psy-ops-on-u-s-senators-20110223 .