HALIFAX - Gen. Rick Hillier is welcoming news that the United States is preparing to send at least 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan in the spring.
The Pentagon's announcement comes after months of repeated insistence that the U.S. wasn't prepared to fill the need for troops in the country.
Hillier, Canada's chief of defence staff, says any surge of troops would accelerate progress against the Taliban and improve security in Afghanistan.
Canada already has about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, mostly in the southern province of Kandahar, and has pushed for a larger contingent from the U.S.
Hillier says he hasn't seen any formal commitment from the United States, but he would welcome extra help from any country.
On Friday, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates is expected to see a proposal from the Pentagon to send a ground and air marine contingent as well as a marine battalion - together totalling more than 3,000 personnel.
