In two Black Hawk helicopters we hopscotched across the forward operating bases of eastern Afghanistan.

They are manned by American soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division in Country for only a month, but our host Brig. General Mark Milley has studied this country preparing for the mission and brings experience from Iraq to counter insurgency ops here.

Here’s a few of his observations we shared over the intercom of the Black Hawk as we flew together:

1. To win the people away from the insurgency people have to see immediate improvements in their lives in terms of roads and schools and security.

“It’s happening rapidly,” says Milley. “We offer the promise of a better life, all the insurgents offer is death and destruction.”

2. Big Country, Afghans have to feel connected to the Central Govt.

“It’s happening everywhere in the East,” Milley said … but he acknowledges the south of Afghanistan is a problem

3. The Afghan Army now at 70,000 is getting strong and getting good, says Milley.

“They can conduct operations, they lead and we shadow them, their excellent,” he claims.

Here’s a few things Milley and his boss Division Commander Jeff Schlosser admit are considerable challenges:

Across the border into Pakistan a half dozen groups, including Al Qaeda and the Taliban, have become more violent. They’re willing to kill civilians …. and 1,000 people have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year, according to sources. Pakistan continues to be used as a training ground, safe haven and launch pad for the insurgency.

Pakistan’s government is negotiating with these tribal areas, and Major General Schlosser says, “In the past agreements have resulted in more violence.” “It’s frustrating” he says.

Thats because the agreements usually mean the Pakistani Army leaves those areas alone, and the insurgents get even more free rein to hit Afghanistan.

I was struck by two things in conversations with the 101st.

Commanders predict more violence in 2008, not less. Thats in direct contradiction to what out going American General McNeill told us. (McNeill was however talking country-wide)

And, Mcneill’s optimistic claims American and International forces could start going home by 2011, drew skeptic smiles from Gen.  Schlosser who sees the fight here in much longer terms.

Two American generals, two different views of a very complex and changing battle field.

One more note, an American Intel. source told me he sees TWO insurgencies in Afghanistan now. The one in the south, more traditional Taliban. Built on old leaders and tribal elders.

And the one in the East where many old leaders have been eliminated and a new younger more radical breed of insurgents are emerging.

As General Milley notes as we fly east, “They are more brutal vicious and unremorseful than any Country has ever known.”

The 101st will earn those combat Screaming Eagle patches awarded by Milley in the American (formally NATO) FOB’s of Eastern Afghanistan.

P.S. French troops will soon join the 101st in Regional Command East. No longer staying in safe areas like the Germans, but soon deploying in areas of fighting.