Former CIA operative reviews US military prospects in central Asia Published June 24, 2009 By Steve Snyder Fort Dix Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Over 500 soldiers and civilians sat in the Timmermann Center auditorium at Fort Dix Monday evening, listening to the exploits of former CIA operative Gary Berntsen. Lt. Col. Maureen Fry from the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security joined Fort Dix Commander Col. Ronald Thaxton in welcoming the spy-turned-author as a guest speaker. The author of the best-selling book Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaida recounted his experiences in counterterrorist operations throughout central Asia and reviewed combat operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan and what they may portend for the future. During and after his lecture/slide presentation, Bernsten was peppered with questions from an active audience. Berntsen began by reviewing his background, including 23 years with the CIA's Clandestine Service, 10 years as a senior field commander and leader of several major counterterrorist strikes, including the one culminating in the battle of Tora Bora. Berntsen urged military members of his audience to do everything they can to help the Afghans, who he says are severely handicapped because of their dire poverty. Still, they fight and die for their country, he says, and deserve our support. Copies of Jawbreaker were raffled off at the end of Berntsen's presentation, as a way of rewarding serious students of the military arts. The knowledge that you're going to serve a tour of duty in Afghanistan sooner or later concentrates the mind, too, Berntsen said. It helps to know who's shooting at you - and why.