War In Afghanistan Daily News - November 19, 2008

Training Turns Afghan Civilians into Soldiers American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2008 – Afghan civilians are transformed into soldiers on a daily basis at the Kabul Military Training Center. The center, located just outside the Afghan capital, provides initial training to recruits and advanced training for noncommissioned and commissioned officers. Classes include basic training, advanced combat training, officer candidate school and noncommissioned officer academy. American, French, British, Romanian and Polish mentors from the Combined Training Assistance Group -- part of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan -- offer the Afghan instructors who run the school feedback on lesson plans and operations. “An Afghan instructor giving his own experience and relating those experiences to the lesson he’s giving, students respond well to it,” said U.S. Army Capt. Rob Simmons. More than 8,000 recruits train at the center at any given time, with another 8,000 training at five satellite locations around the country. The goal is to develop a skilled army capable of disarming and dismantling illegal factions, fighting terrorism and assuring the security and progress of the political process, officials said. “It is the duty and responsibility of the army to serve the people and maintain the sovereignty, independence and borders of our country,” said Afghan Col. Sharif Ahmad, the center’s operating course chief. “That’s why we train our soldiers. Our army is in a basic state. If we had a good army, we wouldn’t have aggression from al-Qaida and our other enemies.” The literacy rate of new recruits poses a challenge for the center’s instructors, officials said. Soldiers who can read and write are assigned positions in logistics, medical services and communications. The others attend training three days a week to improve their abilities. Only 20 to 30 percent of recruits are literate, U.S. Army Maj. Brian Foley said. “It’s a struggle right now,” he acknowledged, “but that’s a result of 30 years of war.” (From a NATO International Security Assistance Force Public Affairs Office news release.)

Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan NATO International Security Assistance Force Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan

Kiwi units change responsibility at Bamyan PRT Written by Master Sgt. Mark Swart CJTF-101 Public Affairs Office

Friday, 17 October 2008

Written by Master Sgt. Mark Swart CJTF-101 Public Affairs Office    Friday, 17 October 2008 BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Oct. 16, 2008) – A new flag was hoisted over the Provincial Reconstruction Team headquarters this morning as a new unit accepted responsibility for the PRT mission in Bamyan province. New Zealand Defence Force Task Group Crib 13 assumed from TG Crib 12, marking the end of a successful six-month tour for TG Crib 12. “New Zealand is a small nation with a small military force, but we’ve seen that a New Zealand soldier can operate very successfully in this environment,” said outgoing PRT commander Col. Daryl Tracy. During this final farewell, he quoted an old Afghan proverb, saying “We came as friends, but we leave as brothers and sisters.” PRT’s are the military contribution to the international development effort in Afghanistan. They work closely with local government leaders to tailor development programs for each area, and over the past six months the Bamyan PRT has focused on agriculture, housing improvements, and educational facilities. Tracy said the PRT mission had benefitted greatly from the strong leadership of Bamyan Gov. Habibi Sorabi, who attended the ceremony and expressed her appreciation for the work done by TG Crib 12. Sorabi is the only female governor in the country of Afghanistan. There are more than a dozen PRTs throughout Regional Command-East, run by a variety of nations including New Zealand, Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic and the US. Col. Scott Spellmon, who serves as Task Force Warrior commander and oversees the PRT, participated in the ceremonial passing of an oar between the two units. The New Zealand PRT is made up of more than 140 members from the New Zealand Defence Force. TG Crib 13 commander Col. Rich Hall was enthusiastic about the mission his unit is inheriting. “We are raring and ready to go and continue their work,” he said to the small audience. Combined Joint Task Force 101 Deputy Commanding General – Support Brig. Gen James McConville also spoke to the two units and emphasized their impact in the region. “You have made a difference here, working with the governor and the Afghan Government,” McConville said. “Because of what you have done here and what you will do, the children of Bamyan will have a much brighter future.” Panjsher PRT receives new commander PANJSHER PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Lieutenant Colonel Mark Stratton and First Sergeant Jason Fritz stand outside a communication center in Panjsher Valley during a transfer of authority ceremony Nov. 16. Stratton is the new commander of ISAF Panjsher Provincial Reconstruction Team. (ISAF photo) KABUL, Afghanistan — ISAF’s Panjsher Provincial Reconstruction Team received a new commander during a ceremony held at a communication center near the governor’s compound in Panjsher province Nov. 16. Lieutenant Colonel Russell Kaskel, the outgoing commander, relinquished command to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Stratton, who will command his team for its nine-month deployment. Brigadier General James Holmes, commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing; Colonel Scott Spellmon, Task Force Warrior commander; Haji Bahlol, governor of Panjsher; and other Afghan officials attended the ceremony. Bahlol, Spellmon and members of the outgoing PRT received accolades from Kaskel. “It is inspiring to see the new team standing together with Afghan partners as a testament to our partnership for security and governance,” Kaskel said. The incoming commander addressed the provincial leaders and local Afghans. “My team and I are truly honoured to serve here in Panjsher, where provincial governance is strong and the security and stability is provided for by the local population itself,” Stratton said. “I believe Panjsher will continue to be a model province in Afghanistan, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”