Seems the CGS isnt the only one, BG Ed Butler has also said how Iraq Operations have effected ops in Afganistan:
Source: BBC News
A commander of British troops in Afghanistan has said UK military operations in the country have been affected by the war in Iraq.
Brigadier Ed Butler said the Taleban had been "tactically defeated" in Northern Helmand and he was "staggered and humbled" by his soldiers' courage.
But he said the now-returned 3 Para Battle Group nearly ran out of rations.
The Army could have done what it is doing now in Helmand Province in 2002, he also said.
Brig Jerry Thomas took over command from Brig Butler on Sunday as the 3 Para Battle Group was replaced by the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade.
His comments came as British troops pulled out of Musa Qala in Helmand, which has been a centre of Taleban insurgency in recent months.
Troops have withdrawn to an area outside the town to allow what locals have called a "ceasefire". However, the military has not used this term.
'Catching up'
Brig Butler, commander of 16 Air Assault (including 3 Para), was briefing journalists in London following the end of his six month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
He said the mission had laid a "solid foundation" for the rest of the campaign.
However, he said on occasions his men found themselves down to "belt rations".
He admitted some troops may have underestimated the "ferocity and tenacity" of the Taleban but said UK personnel had never been in danger of being overrun.
In his briefing, Brig Butler acknowledged there was a delay in deploying Nato troops after the overthrow of the Taliban in 2002 because of UK and US commitments in Iraq.
"We could have carried on in 2002 in the same way we have gone about business now," he said.
"Have the interim four years made a difference? I think realistically they have.
"It doesn't mean that we will not achieve what we set out to do. We have not slipped back.
"I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time."
Source: BBC News