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. Exclusive: CENTCOM Head Says US Focused Only on Strikes in Afghan that Prevent Attacks on US, Allies Homeland Carla Babb ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - The United Statesis not planning tosupport Afghan forces with air strikes after the U.S. troops withdrawal is complete, and counterterrorism strikesin Afghanistanwill be limited toinstances whenattack plans have been discovered to strikethe U.S.homelandor the homelands of our allies,according tothe top U.S. commander in the Middle East. "That would be the reason for any strikes that we do in Afghanistan after we leave,(it) would have to be that we've uncovered someone who wants to attack the homeland of the United States, one of our allies and partners," Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. CentralCommand, told VOA in an exclusive interview as he traveled toward the region aboard a U.S. military plane. The general's commentsappear to refutea report bythe New York Timesthat said the Pentagon is considering seeking authorization to carry out airstrikes to support Afghan security forces if Kabul or another major city is in danger of falling to the Taliban. McKenzie'scandiddescription of U.S. involvement in Afghanistanafter itswithdrawalcoincides with a narrowing counter-terroroffensive against Islamic State and al-Qaidaas the Pentagon prioritizes competition with China and Russia.The general said his force size in the Middle East was now "closer to 40,000," a significant reduction from18 months ago, when that number was between 60,000-80,000 troops. Marine General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, speaks with U.S. troops while visiting Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Sept. 9, 2019. SincePresident JoeBidentook office, he has ordered the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistanandcut U.S. military support for the Saudi-led offensive against Iranian-back Houthi rebels in Yemen,all whilethe Pentagonhasmoved ships, weapons systemsand troopsout ofother Middle East nations. McKenzie says the withdrawal from Afghanistan is a major eventthat has strained resources, not only across his command, but also acrosstheU.S. Transportation Command, which helps shuttleU.S. militarypeople and equipment to various locations across the globe. Those resources will continue to be strained, he tells VOA, as U.S. aircraft will fly frombasesthousands of kilometers away in order to gather intelligence and surveillance and"keep the pressure up" onterrorists in Afghanistan. "It's a long haul to get forces, aircraft into Afghanistan from over the horizon.We'vesaid all along this isa very difficultthing to do. It's not an impossible thing to do, and we're working that right now,"McKenzie said. Plans'welladvanced' Experts and former commanders have raised concernsabout the lack of details that have been associated with securing Afghanistan after the withdrawal. U.S. Marines watch during a change of command ceremony at Task Force Southwest military field, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 15, 2018. The final phase of ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan began May 1, 2021. "The plans are very well advanced," McKenzie said,deferringto the Defense Department to release further information. Ret. Gen JosephVotel, the former commander of CENTCOM, told VOA he has hoped to see a"more comprehensive plan for what this withdrawal would look like"in order to leavethe government of Afghanistanandthe Afghan forces"on the very best footing that we could." He pointed to the 2011 withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq as a "much more deliberate approach" that leftbehind a large embassy and left a security cooperation element of special forces on the ground. "Those are the kinds of things that that I would be expecting to see. I think the challenge with this right now is we're just not seeing a lot of details,"Voteladded. According to McKenzie, the U.S. will help the Afghan air force, one ofthe country'sbiggest advantages against the Taliban,maintainitsaircraftthrough a combination of virtual advising from afar and flying parts in and out of the country. The method will undoubtedlyslow the maintenance process, which could leave Afghan forces with limited air support. "Risk will be greater, significantly greater,"McKenzie acknowledged. There is also a complete plan to evacuate Afghans who helped the United States, should the need arise, although the size, scope and timing of the operation would come from the Department of State, he said. Turkey in the spotlight One post-withdrawal plan that does not appear to be finalized is how the Kabul airport will be secured. The airport serves both civilian and military aircraft. Several hundred troops fromNATO allyTurkeyhave beendefending the airport, but it is unclear whether they will remainonce NATO withdrawals,stokingfearthat diplomats will not be able tosafelyenter and exit Afghanistan. McKenzie said the U.S. military was still "in consultation with Turkish partners about the issue." Biden is expected to meet withTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels on Mondayto discuss the airport security dilemma. Reports have said Erdogan is looking for concessions in exchange for securing the airport, including anagreement from the U.S. that allows Ankara to keep and operateitsRussianS-400air defense system.The U.S.opposesTurkey's acquisitionand useofa Russiansystemalongside NATO weapons like the F-35 fight jet. Another majorconcern is how well the U.S. will be able to uncover terrorists plotsin Afghanistan, the very plots its military is supposed to be preventing through airstrikes,withouta military presence in the country. Bradley Bowman, a defense expert with the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, criticized the pullout for reducing the United States' capability to monitorand deterthe approximately 20 terror groups in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. "Just because we leave and we say it's over, it's not over," Bowman said. "The Taliban is interested,and al-Qaida's interested in forever jihad, and they're going to keep fighting." .