Oregon Public Broadcasting

Congressman David Wu has recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan. 

He says he thinks the U.S. should consider committing more troops in the region.

Wu spent two days visiting forward operating bases near the Afghan-Pakistani border, and says he returned with a much better sense of the challenges facing United States forces.

David Wu: "The terrain is absolutely astounding. The mountains are knife-edged and go horizon to horizon. Once I saw the mountains and pockets of protection, I understood why the Russians were basically done once we supplied the Afghans with surface to air missles."

House speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Chair of the House Armed Services Committee have both voiced doubts that a request for more troops in Afghanistan would pass. But Wu says he would support such a request, if the Obama Administration asks.

During the trip, Wu visited the site where his friend and former campaign manager, Thor Hesla, died.

Hesla was working as a consultant in Afghanistan, and was killed in the attack on the Serena Hotel in 2008.