by Lt. Gen. Ken Tovo, U.S. Army

On April 2, I assumed command of NTM-A/CSTC-A from Lt. Gen. Dan Bolger, who is heading home after 17 successful months of directing the effort to train, advise, and assist the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). This issue contains his last article for this publication, which provides an excellent look into the future of NTM-A. Lt. Gen. Bolger rightly highlights the challenges of predicting the future, given his extensive experience here, his insights are definitely worth reading.

From my perspective, I would like to first and foremost make the point that while the individual filling the role of Commander, NTM-A/CSTC-A has changed, our mission and focus has not. Our role remains the development and sustainment of the ANSF and the Security Ministries.  Working closely with, and in support of ISAF Joint Command, we will continue to develop the ANSF as they take the lead during the 2013 fighting season.

Two primary points of emphasis along this line include ensuring the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police logistics structures sustain their tactical forces, and fielding new equipment that will increase their current tactical capabilities (e.g., 60 mm mortars). We must also continue to advise and assist the Army Regional Military Training Centers and Police Regional Training Centers as they remain critical to force generation and capability refinement in support of Afghan commanders, both for this fighting season and into the future.

In parallel, we must continue to supervise the significant amount of infrastructure projects that are still underway across the country. Close oversight is required to ensure we remain on schedule for delivery of the quality, permanent facilities needed to support elements throughout every echelon of the ANSF.

Finally, we must continue our work to improve the capability and capacity of the Ministries of Defense and Interior. Mature security ministries that are capable of developing sound policies, effective strategies, and responsible budgets are absolutely necessary if the ANSF is to continue to build on the fundamental base that has been achieved to this point.

Integral to each of the above lines of operation is a continued focus on responsibly transitioning the processes and functions from coalition ownership or oversight to independent Afghan execution. Adhering to NTM-A’s current transition process, based on capability milestones, is crucial to setting the conditions over the next 18 months for progressing into the next phase of the coalition’s enduring relationship with Afghanistan.  The commanders at NTM-A have changed; over the coming months, we may adjust organizational structure and reduce manpower levels. What will not change is the continued coalition commitment to the Afghan people now and through the next decade of transformation.

Story and photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kleynia R. McKnight,

NTM-A Public Affairs

Tech. Sgt. Derrick Braddy makes his daily trek along the short and untreated path between the Regional Logistics Center (RLC) – Herat and the Afghans’ western Regional Training Center (RTC). The additional weight of body armor, side arm and long rifle is a personal and professional reminder of what surrounds this simple commute as Braddy goes through the barriers separating the two compounds to meet with Maj. Youseff Sadat.

Near Camp Arena, the two centers are co-located in the 606 Zone headquarters, an Afghan Uniformed Police pillar of the Afghan National Police and which covers the entire western region. Braddy, a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force from Piedmont, Mo., who serves as the ANP’s senior ammunitions mentor at RLC-Herat, and Sadat, a 20-year ANP veteran who serves as ammunition officer at the RTC, held a brief meeting at the Afghan compound this particular day.

Braddy and Sadat bring 33+ years of experience to the ammunition career field.  Since summer 2012 they have been constantly engaged in training together in their career field. The focus of their interaction is safety, maintenance and inspection for the proper use of multiple types of explosive devices.

The improper handling and misuse of high explosive items in the field can be a life and death situation.  They teach proper safe handling; drop distances; and the Cardinal Principle for ammunition: expose the minimum amount of people to the minimum amount of explosives for the minimum amount of time.

“Safety is our main priority,” said Braddy. “After all, these are the future mentors of the ANP.”

While both are seasoned veterans, Braddy was appointed as Sadat’s mentor, and the two have melded into a cohesive duo that implements past and present knowledge of the ammunition field. Even though a major gap exists between the rank of a major and a non-commissioned officer, this particular mentoring program for munitions was purposefully constructed to make the ANP a force of managers ready to lead and do at the same time.

Braddy, whose home station is Hill Air Force Base, Utah, says the extensive training provided by the Air Force gives him the ability to add to the professionalism and knowledge base the ANP needs to be a self-sustaining military. He said as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) the implementation of other than basics creates progress in the force, i.e. a safety mindset, including: advanced tracking of munitions, separating them by classification; and using the Ammunition Basic Load (ABL), designed at Ministry of Interior (MoI), that gives weapons’ quantities and ammunition.

It’s the “other than basics” that lead Sadat and Braddy to common denominators. Even though they differ on certain viewpoints, their approach to solutions seems to always have a quicker resolution when working together to solve and overcome a challenge.

One major challenge the two faced but overcame involved the building of the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP), used to relocate and reorganize to ensure the proper storage, maintenance, and inventory of ammunition and explosive devices, a project they completed in August 2012. An ASP is integral for safety: They’re designed to contain a large portion of the blast should an item detonate to mitigate the injuries and damage to surroundings.

Future goals of Braddy and Sadat are still a work in progress: Better transportation of munitions is one of manageable challenges at present. Another is finding space for free maneuvering of forklifts inside the ASP could improve productivity.

As their meeting ends after a short discussion, the relationship between Sadat and Braddy is positive and built to last. Sadat is looking forward to continuing his mentorship with Braddy.

“The mentoring program is one of the best programs I’ve seen yet,” said Sadat. “Tech. Sgt. Braddy’s immense knowledge in his field has provided me a broader spectrum of my job. The extensive knowledge keeps feeding our ability to progress in our profession.”

Progress in professionalism is what the mentoring program is all about. While the two were working “shohna ba shohna”, or shoulder to shoulder, Sahid the mentee will also be the mentor of new Afghan ammunitions officers, ready to put their shoulders to the wheel as they take the lead for their country’s success.

Story by U.S. Navy Navy Mass Communications Specialist 3^rd Class Sean Weir, NTM-A Public Affairs

(Camp Shorbak, Afghanistan) – Coalition and Afghan National Army service members worked together to create Afghanistan’s first Air Transportable Treatment Unit (ATTU) ­­at Camp Shorbak in Helmand Province in early May.

Helmand, Afghanistan– Coalition and Afghan service members work together setting up an Air Transportable Treatment Unit (ATTU) at Camp Shorbak, March 4. The ATTU is the only Afghan military-led, surgery-capable facility in Helmand province. Photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/IDW) Sean Weir.

It is the first of eight ATTUs scheduled for construction throughout Afghanistan. The ATTU is designed to provide a mobile capability to surgical stabilization on the battlefield.

“This is exactly what we need for right now,” said ANA surgeon Dr. Sami Yosufazai. “The ATTU will serve as a lifesaving surgical facility until we can get a bigger regional medical center built. The capabilities of this facility and the training our medical teams will receive at it will greatly improve our medical abilities.”

The ATTU will function as the only Afghan military-owned medical facility with trauma-stabilizing surgery capabilities in Helmand. Camp Shorbak’s current clinic cannot deal with surgeries. It’s mainly used for military sick call, minor injuries and immunizations.

The ATTU at Camp Shorbak is unique. Other ATTUs are intended for expeditionary use – moved from location to location. The Shorbak ATTU sits inside a warehouse next to their existing clinic. It will supplement and expand the clinic’s current capabilities, said U.S. Navy Capt. Joseph J. Kochan, Deputy Command Surgeon, NTM-A/CSTC-A .

“This addition is a significant improvement over the current situation in Helmand. It gives them the ability to take care of their own patients, which is a big step, given right now they rely on the personnel and facilities of Camp Bastion,” Kochan said. “It’s Afghans taking care of Afghans, which is what we are trying to develop.”

In addition to its functional surgical capabilities, the ATTU will serve as a training center where coalition members from Camp Bastion teach rotating surgical teams of approximately 20 ANA medical personnel during a 90-day course.

“It is much needed,” said Yosufazai. “It will help us grow and promote our medical readiness.”

The goal is to have the ATTU up and running quickly and using it in a functional manner, treating patients by the end of May.

By Maj. Eric Peterson, MMC-A/ASC-SPO Chief Combat Adviser

RSC – Capital

POL-E-CHARKI, Afghanistan – The Pol-e-Charki Fuel Depot became fully mission capable with its initial distribution of 1,052 liters of fuel this month.

The occasion was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony and plaque presentation to highlight the event. The PEC Fuel Depot is now responsible for autonomous operations that include the receiving, issuing and storage of class III supplies for its 12 Afghan National Army customer units to include the Pol-e-Charki Military Complex.

Two Afghan National Army officers with ANA Logistics Command cut the ribbon during a dedication ceremony for the Pol-e-Charki fuel depot in May. The PEC Fuel Depot became fully mission capable with its initial distribution of 1,052 liters of fuel and is now responsible for autonomous operations.
(U.S. Army courtesy photo)

“This is a huge step in the ANA achieving autonomous class III operations in the capital region,” said Maj. Eric Peterson, Material Management Center-Army, Army Support Command Advisory Team combat advisor.

May 1 marked the complete transition and control of fuel operations from RSC-Capital to the ANA Logistics Command. This would be the first time in history that the ANA were solely responsible for ordering, accounting, receiving and issuing fuel to an entire region. The goal is to have the success of the capital region replicated within the Regional Logistics Support Commands throughout Afghanistan.

“This occasion would not have been possible without the close coordination and understanding of both the ANA and the logistics advisers, shoulder to shoulder,” said Peterson.

The Pol-e-Charki Fuel Depot was built and funded by the Turkish government and completed in 2009. However, there were complications that were never worked out under the initial contract including the lack of fuel meters and sediment tanks, which prevented the proper accountability of fuel that was to be distributed from the storage tanks.

The PEC Fuel Depot remained in its initial operational phase until November 2012, when Army Sgt. 1^st Class Robert Wendl, the RSC-Capital class III noncommissioned officer-in-charge and a native of Chardon, Ohio, began his advisory mission with the class III depot commander, ANA Col. Jallaluddin Yousafzai.  Following the team’s first key leader engagement, Yousafzai made it his number one concern to Wendl that the PEC Fuel Depot would not be fully operational until fuel meters were installed. Wendl spent copious hours researching and developing a plan to get the PEC Fuel Depot the proper fuel meters.  It took a total of three months for the fuel meters to be ordered, received and installed. By March 2013, the PEC Fuel Depot was ready to be utilized by the ANA. Concurrently, a plan was constructed and implemented for its fuel distribution to the ANA by Team “Sparta,” the Material Management Center-Army, Army Support Command Advisory Team.

The Regional Support Command-Capital Material Management Center-Army, Army Support Command Advisory Team poses with members of the Afghan National Army at the Pol-e-Charki Fuel Depot following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in May. The depot celebrated its new fully mission capable status with its first distribution of 1,052 liters of fuel.
(U.S. Army courtesy photo)

On March 15, the Spartan Advisory team, led by Peterson, a native of Trophy Club, Texas, and Capt. Robert Yauger, a native of Clearwater, Fla., the Distribution and Petroleum Chief Mentor, moved forward with a plan to transition capital region fuel operations to ANA control. This plan involved using both capital region fuel depots, Khoja Rawash and PEC, the ANA Central Movement Agency fuel distribution assets, and the MMC-A Petroleum Division, which would plan, order and account for all of the fuel Ministry of Defense Form 14s for the capital region. These commands, which are all subordinate units of the ANA Logistics Command, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Abdul Basir, the ANA Logistics Command commander, played a vital role in the seamless transition of fuel operations to the ANA.

The first step in enhancing fuel support was increasing the PEC Fuel Depot operational capability. This step ensured increased storage space and helped accomplish the capitals fuel mission requirement. Next was to get the ANA General Staff, Logistics, to authorize a stock objective for each of the fuel depots at Khoja Rawash and PEC. Third, the utilization of CMA fuel distribution assets in lieu of vendor-direct delivery of fuel would save the U.S. government an estimated $6.3 million. Fourth was the routing of all capital unit MoD Form 14s to the class III depots for fulfillment. Last, and most important, was the approval and execution of the plan by Basir. Basir identified the underutilization of the fuel depots and the CMA fuel transportation assets and approved the fuel transition plan for capital units. He understood that with the signing of this plan, the ANA would be solely responsible for all aspects of the fuel operations for Kabul; planning, ordering, receiving, storing, and distribution.

“It’s a true team effort, synchronizing the subordinate units of the Afghan Logistics Command in this momentous event, linking together the Material Management Center, the Central Movement agency, and the class III Depots,” said Wendl.

May 1 was also a great day for the Spartan advisory team, which helped the ANA achieve self-sufficient fuel operations for the capital region, showing that progress is being made and that the ANA are capable of sustaining their army and great nation.

By 1^st Lt. Gretchen McIntyre

RSC-North Public Affairs

CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan  —“Can we fix it, yes we can!” ought to be the motto of the students who celebrated their graduation from the first official facility engineer training school at Camp Shaheen May 9.

A student from the facility engineer training school proudly shows off his certificate of completion to fellow classmates during a graduation ceremony on Camp Shaheen May 9. Students took a 16-week course in basic maintenance and repair in order to sustain Afghan National Security Forces facilities long after coalition forces withdraw from the country.(Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Chad R. Schrage)

Despite a grueling 16-week course, the 66 graduates are now ready to manage all the necessary maintenance and repairs of the infrastructure on any Afghan National Army camp.

“Trained facility engineers are crucial to the transition process,” said Maj. John Bagaglio, the chief engineer with Regional Support Command-North. “Having a trained force lets the Afghan National Security Forces correct the majority of repairs at a minimal expense.”

Having personnel responsible for the sustainment of all major facilities means that the ANA can keep their infrastructure functional and sustainable long after the coalition forces have left. The ANA will be able to meet their sustainment milestones without any help from the RSC-N engineer cell, added Bagaglio.

“It’s always a great day when our counterparts can take care of their own infrastructure, allowing the 209^th Corps the ability to focus on their mission of providing security to the civilians in this area,” said Col. Ted Donnelly, RSC-N commander. Donnelly congratulated the men during the graduation ceremony on their perseverance through the course and their ability to tackle any project that comes their way.

Students from the facility engineer training school wait for their certificates of completion during a graduation ceremony on Camp Shaheen May 9. Sixty-six students completed a 16-week course in basic maintenance and repair including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, masonry, welding, heating ventilation, air conditioning and even generator maintenance and are now ready to manage all the necessary maintenance and repairs of the infrastructure on any Afghan National Army camp, which is crucial to the transition process.
(Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Chad R. Schrage)

“I am proud of their accomplishment,” said Donnelly. “These men completed the first ever consolidated facility engineer training school in Afghanistan, and they are now equipped with the skills to maintain the more than $1.3 billion in ANSF infrastructure in the North. I’m also extremely proud of our RSC-N Engineer Team, who mentored the trainers and the students, and enforced high standards during the training. “

The course qualified students in all the basic skills necessary to managing any part of a facility. Students not only learned literacy and numeracy, but also a basic trade to include carpentry, electrical, plumbing, masonry, welding, heating ventilation, air conditioning and even generator maintenance. While a small portion of the instruction took place inside the classroom, the more influential training took place outside.

The facility engineer school gave all the students the opportunity to test their skills and abilities in actual on-the-job-training.

“We actually have the students completing real work orders with the instructors’ oversight,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua J. Gulick, a team leader with the RSC-N engineer cell. On-the-job-training gave the students real-life experiences and training, something not always possible to learn in a classroom environment.

“The ANA took advantage of the hands-on portion by using the students to help maintain infrastructure on Camp Shaheen,” said Bagaglio. “The camp received the benefit of maintained facilities and the students get the benefit of real world training on actual facilities.”

The win-win environment was an important aspect of the school, especially since the instructors were local nationals.

“Afghans are teaching other Afghans in the course,” said Gulick. A perk to that, Gulick adds, is that the instructors can understand what the students absolutely need to learn and can break the information down in a language that the students will understand, something the coalition forces cannot always do.

“Everything was done in the way the Afghans want it to be done,” said Gulick.

As coalition forces pull out of Afghanistan, it is important that coalition advisers and mentors prepare the country to take responsibility for all the training in every possible way.

While the school focuses on preparing the students to help in and around local ANA compounds, the men are learning practical skills they can use outside of the military installations as well.

“They’ve learned a good working trade that is a marketable skill,” said Gulick. “They can use this anywhere, whether working for the government or fixing up a neighbor’s house.”

The next course is slated to start in the upcoming weeks, offering more ANA soldiers and civilians the opportunity to learn a valuable trade that not only benefits the military but the entire country.

When you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime; when you teach a facility engineer how to maintain and repair, the country faces a better tomorrow.

By U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist 3^rd Class Sean Weir

(Paktia province, Afghanistan) Afghan National Army Lt. Col. Abdul Wasi works as a doctor at Paktia Regional Medical Center (PRMH), in Paktia province, Afghanistan. He said he has proudly served in the ANA for 23 years.

“My idea was to serve the country and help those that also made the choice to serve the country. This is the most important job I could do,” Wasi said. “I am very pleased to do this job and help so many people. I am privileged to be able to help for so many years.”

Wasi currently serves as PRMH’s assistant director, with responsibility for ensuring all the aspects of the hospital are running as they should.

“I’m proud of the honor I have to treat all without discrimination – all Afghan National Security Forces and civilians alike,” said Wasi.

Wasi said he sees a bright future for ANSF health care with the help they have received from coalition partners. He said he thinks the staff is more educated now, and quickly improving even more.

“I want to say thank you to all the mentors that have helped us, shoulder to shoulder,” Wasi said. “Thank you to all the mentors helping all medical personnel around the country.”

By U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Jake Joy, NTM-A Public Affairs

Kabul, Afghanistan – The sad truth about beheading videos is they generate a lot of attention.

Afghanistan’s military communicators say they understand this, just as they understand their enemies’ penchant for publicly exaggerating achievements and staging daylight attacks simply to produce better-lit YouTube videos. But how to respond?

Afghan Ministry of Defense Director of Public Information Col. Mohammad Paiman talks to Afghanistan National Army public affairs officers on how to counter Taliban propaganda and help Afghan security forces gain the trust of its nation’s people. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joe Prouse.

The information war rages on, and the Afghan National Security Forces are looking for counterpunches.

In a hangar at Oqab Air Base, on the outskirts of Kabul, about 50 Afghan Ministry of Defense and service-level public affairs officers recently gathered for their 14^th semiannual Public Affairs Guidance and Tactics Conference.

The three-day event brought military communicators in from around the country to evaluate Taliban efforts and discuss a wide variety of public information topics ranging from enemy propaganda and social media methods to crisis response and how to create better internal products to bolster force morale.

“2014 is very close,” MoD Director of Public Information Col. Mohammad Paiman told attendees, referring to the impending withdrawal of most coalition forces. “It is your responsibility to gain the trust of the people.”

Gaining trust and credibility is difficult, Paimaan said, when Afghan armed services public affairs officers sometimes struggle to quickly communicate facts to higher headquarters or release statements with unconfirmed data on critical facts like insurgents killed and weapons retrieved. At turns asking and demanding, Paimaan implored officers to “read the public affairs guidance and know it perfectly.”

Paiman’s outlook on the future showed a balance of concern and optimism.

Afghan National Army public affairs officers, and Ministry of Defense communicators group up to brainstorm public responses to emergency and crisis scenarios. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joe Prouse.

“They are young, they are interested in learning and will be very good soon,” he said about the attendees afterward.

Admonitions were quickly followed by chai and handshakes. Officers broke into small groups to brainstorm communication ideas to share with the larger group, and individuals pulled each other aside to catch up on current events.

Afghan National Army Logistics Command Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Abdul Ghani said the conference helps officers exchange information on best practices and lessons learned.

“These conferences are very important for us to get familiar with each other and develop relationships,” Ghani said. “The missions we conduct are different. If a mission is not successful, we get together and talk about how to make similar missions more successful in the future.”

Great attention was paid to enemy capabilities – website layout, the length and production value of online videos and their adversaries’ media releases and rhetoric style. The officers took notes and listened intently, with respect for their foe’s ability to frame and spread a message, but still vowing to produce winning communication products.

“I will die, but I won’t let [the Taliban] have this country again,” Paiman said.

By Bill Putnam

Regional Support Command – Southwest

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, Afghanistan– Engineers from RSC-SW and U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 surveyed a potential permanent bridge site and a fording site here this spring.

U.S. Navy Engineer’s Aide 3rd Class Irwin Tan, a surveyor with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, takes notes while surveying the banks and water line of the Helmand River in southern Helmand province, Afghanistan. Tan and EA3 Mark Monton, also a land surveyor, worked with engineers from Regional Support Command-Southwest, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, to plot the river’s course and depth for the sites that might be used by the Afghan Border Police in the area. (U.S. Army photo by Bill Putnam/Released)

“The river is a constant barrier to logistical support and reinforcements as the Afghan Border Police push further south,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Adam Perrins, an engineer with Regional Support Command-Southwest. “With a reliable river crossing the ABP can count on continued support as they push further south.”

Perrins and U.S. Army Sgt. 1^st Class Dennis Klass worked with U.S. Navy Engineers Aide 3^rd Classes Mark Monton and Irwin Tan, surveyors from NMCB 133, to survey both sides of the river. It proved to be a wet day for Perrins, Klass, Monton and a U.S. Marine first lieutenant, but Monton was in the water most of the day sometimes standing in chest deep water holding his survey stake as Tan shot points of the river’s depth, high and low water marks, and current bridge and fording sites used by the Marines and Afghan Border Patrol in the area.

U.S. Navy Engineer’s Aid 3rd Class Mark Monton stands in the Helmand River while holding a survey stake in southern Helmand province, Afghanistan. Monton and EA3 Irwin Tan, also a land surveyor, worked with engineers from Regional Support Command-Southwest, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, to plot the river’s course and depth for the sites that might be used by the Afghan Border Police in the area. (U.S. Army photo by Bill Putnam/Released)

The ABP and Marine units typically use a ford to cross the river. It’s an option most of the year but the river typically runs high mid March to mid May. That’s a problem for most of the ABP who use Ford Ranger trucks.

The lack of a reliable crossing can inhibit resupply and movement of ABP units south toward the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which is roughly 100 kilometers south of the FOB. Not far from Payne, on the south side of the river, is one of three ABP outposts called “South Station.” A crossing will help the ABP in those three stations push south.

“The yearlong river crossing will provide immediate access to the three ABP substations south of the Helmand River,” Perrins said. “These three stations will be the step-off point for further pushes south as the ABP expands their sphere of control.”

The requirement for a bridge or fording site came up in 2012, and after validation this year, RSC-SW was tasked to identify courses of action, said Perrins.

Project administrators say the South Station Ford is moving forward, and they hope to award a bid to a regional contractor this summer.

By Lt Col. Dwayne McCullion
RSC-East Chief Engineer

GARDEZ, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Army’s 203^rdCorps’ power plant can now provide significantly more electricity to support the ANA’s national security mission in the country’s eastern region.

Lt. Col. Alan Sheard, Chief, Infrastructure Training Advisory Team, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael King, the Regional Support Command-East Electrical Technician, stand in the control room of the newly expanded Afghan National Army 203rd Corps Power Plant in Gardez, Afghanistan. The ANA will see a significant cost reduction as a result of the new control system. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)

This spring, a $9 million power plant expansion contract project begun last fall was finished, inspected and approved by Regional Support Command – East engineering officials. The project doubled the number of generators at the site and added ancillary equipment and a state-of-the-art synchronizing control system to ensure a steady supply of electricity as energy demands fluctuate. The project ultimately raises the plant’s electrical output capability to 15 megavolt amperes (MVAs). The project is also expected to produce significant fuel and generator maintenance cost savings.

As ANA numbers and responsibilities continue to grow, so does its need for electrical power to help sustain a quickly growing security infrastructure. But electricity is hard to come by in Afghanistan. The country’s government estimates that less than 20 percent of its people have regular access to public electricity, and the nation imports most of its power from other countries.

RSC-East’s mission is to assist Afghanistan in building a secure future for its people. Its personnel stand shoulder to shoulder to mentor, train and advise their ANA partners as they work toward building a sustainable future.

By Army Capt. Ashley Smith

RSC-West/NTM-A Public Affairs

CAMP ZAFAR, Afghanistan — Herat Regional Medical Hospital transitioned from coalition forces responsibility to Afghan National Army control during a ceremony at Camp Zafar June 19.

The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests including Gen. Mohammad Mustafa Sedeqi, deputy commander of the 207^thANA Corps, Col. Abdul Ghani, commander of the hospital, U.S. Navy Capt. Joseph Kochan, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Deputy Command Surgeon, and U.S. Army Col. Keith Detwiler, Regional Support Command-West Commander, in addition to coalition mentors and many other ANA leaders.

Col. Abdul Ghani, commander of the Herat Regional Medical Hospital, addresses his staff and many other distinguished guests during a ceremony celebrating transition of the hospital to ANA control at Camp Zafar June 19. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Ashley Smith

After a brief prayer and the playing of the Afghan national anthem, Mustafa Sedeqi spoke about all the accomplishments the hospital staff has achieved over the past seven years.

“We have developed, we have improved a lot,” said Mustafa Sedeqi. “I am proud of my people.” He challenged the medical staff to now shift their focus to improving pre-hospital and point of injury care in addition to continuing to provide quality patient care in the hospital setting.

The Herat Regional Medical Hospital is a 100-bed facility built in 2006, and coalition forces have been mentoring here since that time. The primary beneficiaries of this facility are ANA soldiers, but the hospital also treats Afghan National Police and civilians as the need arises. The medical team provides medical evacuation support for the area as well as outreach to many surrounding troop medical clinics. In addition to direct patient care, medical supply and logistics, continuing medical education and preventative medicine services have been facilitated.

Kochan thanked everyone for their hard work over the past seven years. “The care at this hospital leads the Afghan nation,” he said. “Colonel Ghani, your team is ready.”

The hospital was recently visited by the Joint Forces Medical Validation Team and achieved an overall CM-1A validation score of 99 percent. The inspection team surveys hospitals to ensure key aspects of direct patient care, medical documentation, and standard operating procedures meet identified standards.

Gen. Mohammad Mustafa Sedeqi, Deputy Commander of the 207th ANA Corps looks on as Col. Keith Detwiler, Commander of RSC-W, and Col. Abdul Ghani, Commander of the Herat Regional Medical Hospital, prepare to sign the official transition documents. The transition of the hospital to Afghan control took place June 19. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Ashley Smith

“Patients arrive hurt, and they are made well. Soldiers will fight hard if they know medical personnel are behind them, ready to respond,” said Detwiler, when he spoke to the heart of the hospital’s mission. This hospital has an impact across the entire Corp, he said, and he encouraged the hospital staff to continue to work hard for both their fellow soldiers and the country of Afghanistan.

In his remarks, Ghani congratulated his team on its achievements. He thanked the mentors for all of their guidance and hard work. Speaking to his team, he said, the work is not yet done. There are still many areas for further improvement. But, Ghani added, we will get there.

To close the ceremony, documents were signed by both Ghani and Detwiler to officially transition responsibility for the hospital from coalition forces to the ANA. Afterwards, the Medical Training and Advisory Group mentors were honored by their Afghan counterparts with certificates of appreciation.

By SGT EDDIE SIGUENZA

Guam Army National Guard

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan– Far, far away, there is a league of islands praising its sons and daughters for something never done before.

Pfc. Rita Taitano, a Puerto Rico, Saipan resident and driver for Headquarters-Headquarters Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, exits her tactical vehicle after a successful mission to Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. She joins three other women amongst the 16 from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on their home’s historic Operation Enduring Freedom quest. (Army National Guard photo/Sgt. Eddie Siguenza) (Released)

Sixteen soldiers from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), members of the Guam Army National Guard’s 1-294th Infantry Regiment, embarked on a historic quest four months ago. Just as the Guam Guard makes history on its Operation Enduring Freedom mission, so do these 16, for another purpose.

They’re among roughly 600 island warriors dispersed throughout Afghanistan, supporting the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan’s role in training, advising and assisting Afghan security forces. Yet, they come from an even smaller population, from the CNMI islands of Saipan and Tinian.

“We are all Guam National Guardsmen. We eat, sleep and fight together,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Mel Hennegan, Task Force Guam’s command sergeant major. “We’re all a part of the battalion no matter where we’re from.”

The islanders’ history with the Guam National Guard began after a 2009 recruiting program in the Northern Mariana Islands. In 2010, about 25 CNMI citizens enlisted into the Guam Guard. They maintain residence in the CNMI, but take an approximately 30-minute flight to Guam for monthly training.

Of those 25, 16 are now in Afghanistan, each making their first active duty deployments. The majority are in their 20s; one is an officer. Task Force Guam mobilized in March, but didn’t land on Afghan soil until April.

Spc. Nathaniel Mateo, a Garapan, Saipan resident and a member of Charlie Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, performs a pre-mission inspection at Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. Mateo is one of 16 Guam Guardsmen from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (Army National Guard photo/Sgt. Eddie Siguenza) (Released)

“This is something very honorable for them. They’re taking it upon themselves to seek a better life,” said 1st Lt. Joey Togawa, executive officer, Charlie Company, Task Force Guam and San Vicente, Saipan resident. “All of them want to do the right thing out here. Not just for the people here, but for their families at home.”

Togawa joins 13 others from Saipan. Two Guardsmen – Spcs. Hainy Borja and Ken “Mojo” Mojica – are from Tinian, an island with a population of about 3,000. Togawa was born on Guam but moved permanently to Saipan for his civilian employment.

Not all CNMI residents deployed. Some remained as members of other Guam Guard units, including logistics, communication and the 721st Army Band.

To add to this group’s history, there’s a father-daughter combination aboard. Spc. Ivan Igitol and his daughter, Brittney, also a specialist, are united in heart but separated in distance. Ivan runs missions out of Camp Eggers, while Brittney is based at Kandahar, approximately 300 miles away.

“The way we see it, we’re from the CNMI but we’re part of the Guam Guard. We carry the (Guam) patch,” said Igitol, 48, of Matuis, Saipan. “We know we represent Guam, but we’re representing the CNMI as well. Guam will always be a part of us.”

The senior Igitol serves as a mission coordinator. He tracks soldier movement for Task Force Guam throughout Afghanistan.

The 16 soldiers form the largest group of reservists to ever deploy from the CNMI. Of them, four are women: Spc. Tiffany Santos, Spc. Rita Taitano, Spc. Delorina Rabauliman and the younger Igitol.

Fifteen islands make up the CNMI, but only three – Saipan, Tinian and Rota – are permanently inhabited. Based on the 2010 census, the Commonwealth has a population of 53,883. In comparison, the software company Microsoft employs about 91,000 worldwide, almost 60,000 just in the United States.

The Northern Mariana Islands, Guam included, were cornerstones of this Pacific region during World War II. Japan’s occupation of the islands brought U.S. forces to this region. The U.S. recaptured Guam July 21, 1944, then regained Saipan and Tinian days later. Tinian provided the launching point for the famous Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945.

“We’re out here doing what we have to do. We’re going to get the mission done and go back home,” said Spc. Nathaniel Mateo, 22, of Garapan, Saipan. “We just have to do our missions right. Just do what we’ve learned.”

Mateo is a driver for Charlie Company. He’s already run countless missions in a short time. On his driving experiences throughout Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, Mateo explained, “It’s crowded, crowded, crowded. They don’t have traffic like this back home.”

As historic as this is, says Togawa, the group isn’t concerned so much about that. They’re concentrating on the mission at hand. They understand the dangers of this deployment and are fulfilling their responsibilities accordingly.

“Our soldiers know they need to stay focused out here,” Togawa said. “I have a lot of respect for them for their sacrifices. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves, and make a difference for their island. They could be sitting at home and going nowhere.”

Right now, they’re marching into history.

Story by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist 3^rd Class Sean Weir, NTM-A/CSTC-A Public Affairs

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Afghanistan’s national security forces opened the Center for Acquisitions and Procurement during a ceremony at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee military facility in Kabul in late June.

Soldiers, police and civilian employees of the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense will attend CAP for procurement and resource management training in specialties like budgeting and tracking funds in accordance with Afghan procurement and finance laws.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Lt. Col. Daniel Marticello, chief of plans and operations for NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Deputy Commanding General-Support directorate, provides remarks during the grand opening ceremony for the Center for Acquisitions and Procurement, at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee military base, Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Sean Weir

“The Afghan national security forces have had a difficult time contracting for goods such as food and base services due to a lack of expertise in procurement contracting and budgeting,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Marticello, the Plans and Operations Chief for NTM-A/CSTC-A’s DCG-Support directorate. “The establishment of this school is an attempt to remedy these problems.”

The CEP has already started running basic and advanced pilot courses. After the holy month of Ramazan, administrators intend to begin the full curriculum – including basic, intermediate and advanced courses as well as special breakout classes in related subjects such as logistics.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police members attend one of the first procurement classes held at the Center for Acquisitions and Procurement, at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee military base, Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Sean Weir

“There are very exciting classes being held here,” said Col. Muhamidi Shams, a current student at CEP who manages planning and budget functions for the Afghan National Police. “It is interesting, because unlike many schools in Afghanistan, we are learning with the army, not just police. I think that is a good thing. We are enjoying it and learning a lot from these classes. The lessons are like an ocean, as long as you want to learn, there is knowledge.”

The school will serve in a continuing education capacity, where students can not only earn a basic certificate, but can return after a few years of practical experience to earn an intermediate certificate.

“We know that we have a lot of problems when it comes to these topics, but these classes that are offered here will help move the ANSF forward when it comes to supply and procurement, which will affect the rest of the force,” Shams said.

According to Marticello, members of the Defense Acquisition University, International Defense Acquisition Resource Management Organization and the Defense Resource Management Institute traveled to Afghanistan to partner with Afghans on building up the school’s knowledge base.

“The MoI, MoD and the Ministry of Finance helped build the curriculum. It is in line with Afghan law, but augmented with skills and expertise from the United States,” Marticello said.

By U.S. Navy Lt. Jake Joy, NTM-A/CSTC-A Public Affairs

(Kabul, Afghanistan)- Afghan Ministry of Defense and army personnel provided food and money to the local families of 80 martyred or disabled soldiers at the government’s Bala Hissar facility in early July.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Mohammad Mokhlis, the Religious and Cultural Affairs First Deputy, and Director of Family Support Lt. Col. Mazari Amani hand out a sum of 850 Afghanis to each local family of martyred and disabled soldiers participating in a pre-Ramazan RCA event at Bala Hissar in Kabul. NTM-A/CSTC-A photo

The ceremony and food donation event, conducted by the ministry’s Religious and Cultural Affairs office, sought to demonstrate the Afghan National Army’s appreciation for those families’ sacrifices and to help bring them together to develop a more active support network. Participating officials said the event’s timing was important, as it would help ensure the basic needs of local martyr families stayed met through the holy month of Ramazan, which began July 10.

In addition to receiving 850 Afghanis, each family left with a supply of food stuffs, including flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, green tea, beans, chick peas and sweets. The local ANA support brigade assisted families with transportation to and from the event, and RCA officials provided a Family Support Directorate overview and spent time informing families of upcoming initiatives, events, and current assistance efforts.

“The officers of the RCA are completely dedicated to the ANA’s martyred and disabled families and work tirelessly to provide the families much needed support,” said RCA Plans and Policy Advisor Joelle Derbonne, a NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan advisor who works with Afghan RCA officials every day.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – An Afghan National Army soldier helps the family member of a martyred soldier load up a Ramazan food package to take home during an ANA Religious and Cultural Affairs ceremony at Bala Hissar in Kabul in early July. NTM-A/CSTC-A photo

Leaders like Lt. Col. Mazari Amani, the RCA Director of Family Support, briefed families on plans to send 100 martyred families to the Hajj, provide more holiday packages, and come visit with them during the Eids, or celebration days.

“Lieutenant Colonel Amani goes to great lengths to ensure family members are provided support and know they are not forgotten,” said Derbonne. “I expect that she will personally visit some of these families during Eid to ensure they are doing OK.  She wants them to know that they can count on the ANA to help.”

The RCA First Deputy, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Mokhlis, promised continued support and to help solve any issues the families might encounter. He said that for many of the families, it was their first opportunity to get together and meet one another, and he hoped the event will help build relationships.

Families expressed their gratitude for not being forgotten and the continued support they receive.  Many reportedly stated they had willingly “sacrificed their sons” for the country of Afghanistan, and they would do it again.

The NTM-A/CSTC-A multi-language monthly publication “Shohna ba Shohna,” translated as “shoulder to shoulder,” has documented the effort and hard work of coalition partners and Afghan security personnel for the past two years. It has given contributing nations and the rest of the world access to a written and visual history of the accomplishments we’ve made in our collective quest to train, assist and advise an Afghan National Security Force capable of defending its country’s population from enemies at home and abroad.

July 2013 marks the publication of the final issue. In it, you will find a retrospective photographic journey through the life of NTM-A since its beginnings in 2009. Nearly two dozen issues of the magazine are accessible in easy-to-read PDF form under the “Shohna ba Shohna” tab located at the top of the www.ntm-a.com website.

By U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Siguenza, Task Force Guam

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – Guam Army National Guardsmen may sadly never see the true impact their presence makes at a Kabul facility currently under construction.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Sgt. Gerald A. Fernandez Jr., team leader for Second Platoon, Headquarters-Headquarters Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, right, watches his lane as Navy Chief Petty Officer Kevin Locher, left, Canadian soldiers and Glen S. Glass, a civilian contractor, discuss the development of the Darulaman Literacy Center July 15 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Siguenza

By next year, and months after Guam’s nearly 600 members of 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment have departed the country, the Darulaman Literacy Center will be up and running at Camp Dubbs, Kabul, site of the Afghan National Army’s Education and Training Center. The center, a six-building compound, broke ground March 2012 and won’t be completed until early 2014. By then, Task Force Guam will have completed its Afghanistan deployment.

Department of Defense contractors, assisted by members of the Canadian military, are working with Afghan businessmen to build this facility. Since May, Guam Guardsmen from second platoon, Headquarters-Headquarters Company, have provided security for the DoD contractors, who made an on-site visit July 14 with Guam Guardsmen by their side.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Sgt. Gerald A. Fernandez Jr., team leader for Second Platoon, Headquarters-Headquarters Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, right, watches his lane as Navy Chief Petty Officer Kevin Locher, left, Canadian soldiers and Glen S. Glass, a civilian contractor, discuss the development of the Darulaman Literacy Center July 15 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Siguenza

“My job requires a lot of site visits and there’s no doubt I’ll take the Guam boys with me everywhere I go,” said Glen S. Glass, liaison engineer and contract officer for Red River Army Depot, the DoD contractor assigned to this project. “I prefer to take them. I know I’ll be protected, and just knowing that, I’m able to concentrate on my job.”

The facility will serve as an education center, with the goal of bettering Afghan soldiers’ language skills, according to ANA Maj. Gen. Aminullah Karim, ANA Education and Training commander.

“The Afghan Army needs literate people to professionally train new soldiers,” Karim said in a NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan release. “This training center helps to make that happen.”

Glass is project leader for the Darulaman center. He currently oversees six projects, all important to the success of Afghanistan’s national security. But the Darulaman project is the most critical of the six, he said, especially because of its $1.5 million price tag.

“All this is done between my office and the civilians I work with. But it’s critical for us to get out there and make sure the projects are going right, and that’s where the Guam soldiers help,” Glass said. “Without the guys, I feel vulnerable. With them, I know I’ll get my work done. I know they’ll do whatever they can to protect me.”

There’s a better view of Kabul, Afghanistan’s busy and crowded capital, through the eyes of second platoon. When they’re on missions, they look out through the bulletproof glass of their vehicles. That keeps them alert, says Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Perez, platoon sergeant.

“There’s potential for danger everywhere we go,” he said. “The guys know to be professional. They know they have to take their jobs seriously.”

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Perez, right, platoon sergeant for Second Platoon, Headquarters-Headquarters Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, escorts Glen S. Glass, a civilian contractor, July 15 at the Darulaman Literacy Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Siguenza

The Guam Guardsmen provide Glass transportation and security to many various sites. Once there, they move where he moves, always looking ahead to the next step.

“This (the Darulaman center) is one of my favorite sites to go to because of the way my partners are managing the work,” Glass explained. “They build amazing stuff, mostly using hand tools. They build stuff out of nothing.”

The foundations for three buildings were recently set. Two others have their cinder block walls in place, while the remaining building just has vertical columns.

When completed, the literacy center will be able to process up to 8,000 students a year, according to NTM-A.

The site is in the vicinity of the Darul Aman Palace, a historic mansion once owned by an Afghan king but now a site of rubble due to previous wars.

NTM-A Photo

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – NTM-A/CSTC-A Religious and Cultural Affairs representatives hosted Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Mohammad Amin Nasib, Chief of Religious and Cultural Affairs, and ANA RCA staffers for an Iftar meal at Camp Eggers July 21.

Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramazan and traditionally celebrated as a community, with neighbors gathering to worship and eat together. Dates and water are used to break the fast, and then the Maghrib prayer is conducted before eating the meal.

“The Iftar meal is typically done with family and friends,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Richmond Stoglin, the NTM-A/CSTC-A Command Chaplain. “So, for General Nasib to not be with his family but to be with us, to accept our invitation and share something very personal and meaningful to him – in front of us – and share the meal with us, it shows the mutual respect we have for each other.”

Stoglin and fellow RCA mentors and advisors used the special occasion to discuss the way ahead and the continuing transition to a more advisory mission.

“We talked about religion in this culture, which is extremely important,” Stoglin said. “It demonstrates that the coalition is sensitive to (Islamic) religious beliefs and practices.”

by SSgt. Torri Ingalsbe
Air Forces Central Command Combat Camera

JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan– As the morning sun crested over the mountains between the Azrah and Hezarak districts in Afghanistan, July 23, Afghan air force Mi-17 and Mi-35 pilots, flight engineers and gunners geared up to launch the largest Afghan-led joint, combined arms operation in 30 years – Operation Seemorgh.

An Afghan Air Force Mi-35 helicopter departs for Loghar province in the early morning hours on the first day of Operation Seemorgh at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. Operation Seemorgh, named after a mythical bird, is the largest Afghan-led combat operation in more than 30 years, combining air and ground forces in an offensive focused on Taliban in Loghar Province. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Ben Bloker)

“Our mission was to clear the area of Taliban and block them from the Azrah District,” said AAF Lt. Col. “Hollywood” Rohullah, helicopter platoon leader and Mi-17 pilot. Rohullah said there were a total of eight aircraft involved in the first wave of the operation: two Mi-35′s and six Mi-17′s.

The AAF worked closely with the Afghan National Army, supporting troop movement, resupply and casualty evacuation.

“This was the first completely autonomous Afghan Air Force troop insertion in support of a major operation,” said U.S. Army Capt. Tom Jones, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Kabul Air Wing Partnership team lead. “While the AAF has conducted other troop insertions and air assaults before, they would use coalition support; this time it was done all on their own.”

Jones serves in an advisory role, helping to train helicopter crews, pushing toward mission sustainment for the AAF.

“I’m very proud of the Afghan pilots we’ve built relationships with,” Jones added. “It’s also humbling because we [as advisers] can’t take any of the credit. They’re [the AAF] the ones who are pushing so hard and dedicated to this fight. They’ve shown how proficient they’ve become.”

Rohullah was also impressed with the success of the mission execution.

“We had very good crew coordination with ground forces,” he explained. “There were [joint] planning meetings, and the ground forces communicated very well with the Mi-17 crews. They provided areas around the outposts for air drop targeting purposes.”

The mission, although not complete, has been viewed as a success by both the AAF and the air advisers who work so closely with them.

“The Afghans have been very receptive to our assistance,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brandon Deacon, 438th AEAS commander. “We’re here to help advise, but they’ve really stepped up to the plate. We can only take partial credit.”

This historic mission marks one of many milestones on the way to a fully self-sustaining AAF, with a myriad of mission capabilities.

“The Afghan people have a lot to be proud of,” Jones said. “The AAF has demonstrated they have the fortitude to fight for their country and their homeland, and that’s something to be proud of.”

By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alex Farver, NTM-A/CSTC-A Public Affairs

(Wardak Province, Afghanistan) – “To serve and protect.”

It’s a common expression police officers use to describe the foundation their profession is built upon. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado has built a career around this expression, as a 21-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Police Department now serving as the commander responsible for NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan’s police mentorship efforts.  

(Wardak Province, Afghanistan) – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado, Commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Deputy Command-Police, addresses a crowd of Afghan National Security Forces trainees during an August visit to the National Police Training Center in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Hurtado thanked the trainees for their commitment, and emphasized their importance in securing Afghanistan’s future. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Farver.

“I became a police officer for many reasons,” Hurtado said. “You have a direct impact on people on a daily basis. You’re in a position to help people. It’s serving a higher purpose than just yourself.”

His deployment provides bountiful opportunities to interact with Afghan policemen; both in the field and in training. One of his favorite questions to ask them is “Why do you serve?”

“Many of them join for the same reasons I did. They have a strong desire to serve their community, to protect their family. They believe in a national government. They want to be a part of that. They believe that they can make a difference,” he said.

During a recent visit to the Afghan-controlled National Police Training Center in Wardak Province, he had a chance to share policing fundamentals while addressing hundreds of next generation of Afghan law officers.

(Wardak Province, Afghanistan) – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado, Commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Deputy Command-Police, addresses a crowd of Afghan National Security Forces trainees during an August visit to the National Police Training Center in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Hurtado thanked the trainees for their commitment, and emphasized their importance in securing Afghanistan’s future. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Farver.

“The community expects a lot from them,” Hurtado said. “They expect them to be honest. They expect them to protect and to be that first line of security in their communities. It’s a huge responsibility. And I just wanted to stress to them that taking care of each other, their families and community is very important.”

The Wardak training center can train up to 3,000 police at a time, and is one of eight facilities across the country that in recent years has transitioned to full Afghan ownership and operational control. Hurtado said the training centers are strong evidence of Afghan National Security Forces growth.

“They’re making huge strides,” Hurtado said. “When I was (in Wardak) four years ago, most of the training was done by contractors or coalition, and they’re now doing it themselves. That was encouraging to me, to come back after four years and see they’re conducting that training themselves and they’re getting better at it.”

(Wardak Province, Afghanistan) – From right to left, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado, Commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Deputy Command-Police, Maj. Gen. Mashooq Sailab, Commander, Afghan National Police Training General Command, and the commander of the National Police Training Center are greeted by a welcoming detail during an August joint leadership visit. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Farver.

One of the biggest obstacles remaining is a 70 percent illiteracy rate in the ranks.

“It is hard to professionalize a police force that isn’t literate,” Hurtado said. “You have to write reports. You write tickets. You do interviews and look at documents. That to me is the key challenge right now. That is something that Afghan Interior Minister Mujtaba Patang is focused on. In his 10-year vision, he places a lot of importance on literacy.”

Hurtado supports lengthening initial training for recruits, which now stands at eight weeks, to match the six to nine months of training police officers receive in many other nations. Doing so would allow them to focus on more traditional skills inherent to a quality police force. While they have shown marked improvement in capability, Hurtado was quick to point out that a policeman’s training is never complete.

“They’re still emerging from fighting a counterinsurgency and being used as predominantly light infantry. We’re trying to refocus their mission to be policemen in the traditional sense,” Hurtado said. “They need to get all the officers that are out there trained so they know what they’re doing, and they can do the job that they’ve been tasked to do – and that’s to be the first line of defense security force in the communities,” Hurtado said.

(Wardak Province, Afghanistan) – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado, Commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Deputy Command-Police (right), Maj. Gen. Mashooq Sailab, Commander, Afghan National Police Training General Command (center) and the commander of the National Police Training Center (left) pose for a photo in front of the NPTC headquarters building during an August coalition leadership visit. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Farver.

Hurtado said leadership visits to Afghan facilities like the Wardak training center are important, as they serve to reaffirm the coalition’s enduring commitment to Afghan security and support.

“We’re still here, and even though we turn over a training center to them, we haven’t forgotten about them,” Hurtado said. “2014 is a deadline for most of the coalition leaving, but there will still be a presence. The Afghan National Security Forces are in the lead for security. Every police officer that we can graduate from these training centers will add to the security in their local villages and the cities around Afghanistan.”

By U.S. Navy Lt. Jake Joy, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan Public Affairs

(Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan)– The trainees place a hand on the certificate that bears both their name and Afghanistan’s flag. They swear an oath – to never betray their people or their government, and if necessary, to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of their countrymen.

(Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan) New Afghan basic patrolmen swear an oath to never betray their people or their government during an Initial Police Training course graduation ceremony at Regional Police Training Center – North near Mazar-e-Sharif Aug. 20. The 194 police men and women are part of nearly 60,000 police who have joined Afghanistan’s police forces since late 2009. Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Jake Joy (RELEASED)

And with that, Afghanistan’s newest policemen, now qualified as “basic patrolmen,” take responsibility for protecting a nation.

“Today, you are completing your class … a step forward for you personally, and a step forward for Afghanistan. You can be proud on this day,” said Lt. Col. Bernd Loeffler, the German Police Project Team training site leader, speaking at an Aug. 20 graduation of 194 Afghan police from the 8-week Initial Police Training course given at Regional Police Training Center – North near Mazar-e-Sharif.

Police graduations are now a common occurrence in Afghanistan, where 13 regional training centers, a national police academy and other training sources have helped add roughly 60,000 police officers to the nation’s count in the past four years. This particular graduation was attended by Afghan National Police Maj. Gen. Mashoq Ahmad Sailab, Commander, Training General Command, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado, Deputy Commanding General – Police, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan. Together, they represent the top levels of leadership in police training for both the Afghans and the International Security Assistance Force.

The school, currently administrated by the German Police Project Team, can train 1,200 policemen at a time and will become one of the last of the regional police training centers to be completely turned over to Afghan forces by mid-2014.

(Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan) U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sonny Hurtado, Deputy Commanding General – Police, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, presents a graduation certificate to a new basic patrolman during an Initial Police Training course graduation ceremony at Regional Police Training Center – North near Mazar-e-Sharif Aug. 20. Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Jake Joy (RELEASED)

For now, for 2014, and for the forseeable future, training sites like that at Mazar-e-Sharif will continue to steadily offer more Afghans a chance to don the blue uniform and cap and swear allegiance to their country.

“It is up to you to build the confidence of the Afghan people,” Loeffler said. “I’m sure you will be fully committed to your task and will serve the Afghan people in a proud and honest way.”

Afghan Border Police train with handheld metal detectors

By Capt. Alexandre Cadieux, NTM-A Public Affairs

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – A two-member team from the Afghan Border Police conducts an area sweep with their handheld metal detector around a vulnerable area before their convoy can pass safely during Road Clearance Course training at Kabul Military Training Center (Photo by Royal Canadian Air Force Capt Alexandre Cadieux/RELEASED)

The risk of improvised explosive devices remains a great threat for members of the Afghan National Security Forces as they continue their efforts to provide the Afghan people with safe communities where the rule of law and good governance can prevail. This threat is particularly serious for the Afghan Border Police, which is responsible for securing the country’s mountainous borders, with many posts located in extremely remote and hard-to-access areas.

The ABP has made significant and steady progress with its Counter-Improvised Explosive Device capability, from sharing intelligence among ANSF components to the fielding of C-IED equipment and development of explosive ordinance disposal teams.

The Handheld Metal Detector Course given in late August to members of the ABP at the Kabul Military Training Center is one of those improvements. This course is but one component of a broader Road Clearance Course curriculum aimed at arming border police with the fundamental skills that will give them more freedom to maneuver and greater ability to clear routes for follow-on operations in an IED threat environment.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – An Afghan Border Police member observes from the top of his vehicle for signs of an improvised explosive device before his convoy crosses a vulnerable point during Road Clearance Course training at Kabul Military Training Center. (Photo by Royal Canadian Air Force Capt Alexandre Cadieux/RELEASED)

“This course is designed to teach employment, operation and mine sweeping tactics, techniques and procedures for handheld metal detectors assigned to the unit being trained,” said Royal Canadian Air Force Capt. Wendy Osmond, a NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan training coordinator who assists the ABP. “This course not only introduces the students to new equipment – the Vallon metal detector – but we also teach them how to be better aware of signs of IED threat in their environment.”

This Road Clearance Course curriculum will also give ABP members an understanding of the C-IED strategic mission, the ministry and security services’ distinct roles in countering the threat, and how to disrupt IED supply chains with “Attack the Network” principles.

(Kabul, Afghanistan) – Two Afghan Border Police members assemble a hand held metal detector before embarking on a familiarization scenario at the Kabul Military Training Centre during the Road Clearance Course. (Photo by Royal Canadian Air Force Capt Alexandre Cadieux/RELEASED)

“Ultimately, the ABP will now be more self-sustainable with this new capability. They will be able to execute their own clearance operation, reducing their dependence on other ANSF organizations or the coalition forces,” said Osmond.

The ABP will eventually field six road clearance companies using the SPARK OIF Track Width Mine Roller in Afghan regions considered a high IED threat.