Gov. Andrew Cuomo is receiving counterterrorism briefings and visiting New York soldiers during a visit to Afghanistan with three other governors.

In a conference call Sunday, Cuomo said much progress has been made in Afghanistan, but Islamic State extremists are now spreading a new “virulent strain of terrorist activity and culture.” He said his goal is for New York to have “the most sophisticated homeland security system ever designed,” but terrorist cells also have to be controlled at their source.

About 270 members of the New York National Guard and about 900 members of Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division are stationed in Afghanistan.

Cuomo is traveling with Department of Defense officials and governors Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Bill Haslam of Tennessee and Jay Nixon of Missouri. He said he’ll be home Tuesday.

(AP)