Military Remains Focused on Finding Bergdahl

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2014 – The U.S. military will do everything it can to ensure that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is returned from enemy captivity and reunited with his family, said Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary.

The 27-year-old soldier disappeared in 2009 and was believed captured by the Haqqani network. A video in which he appears, which the military believes was recently made, surfaced yesterday.

“We are aware of a new proof-of-life video. We believe it was shot recently,” Kirby said during a Pentagon news conference. “He does look frail and probably not in the best health he’s ever known.”

Kirby emphatically stated that the military has continued its focus on returning the sergeant. “I can tell you, across the spectrum, diplomatically, militarily, even from an intelligence perspective, we’ve never lost focus on Bowe Bergdahl … and on trying to get him home,” he said.

The admiral commended the Bergdahl family for their bravery, courage and stoicism.

One of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first acts upon taking office was to call the Bergdahl family about the situation.

“Bowe’s not just part of the Bergdahl family; he’s part of the military family,” Kirby said. “We’ve never lost focus on trying to get him back.”