The Afghan National Army 1st Commando Brigade, located on Camp Morehead, is a force to be reckoned with on all levels.
In just under four years since the brigade’s creation, its two unique operating forces, the Afghan National Army Commandos and Special Forces, now number more than 8,000 and have worked their way into the hearts and minds of the Afghan population and instilled fear into the insurgent forces they were designed to combat.
Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan
Story by Staff Sgt. Ryan Whitney
KABUL, Afghanistan (May 2, 2011)
“Our Commandos and Special Forces are armed with the best equipment, trained by U.S. Special Forces, and ready to react to whatever situation the country and Afghanistan require of its sons,” said Gen. Dadon Lawang, 1st Commando Brigade commander.
The Commandos are comprised of hand-picked soldiers from the Afghan National Army who are trained by U.S. Special Forces teams to become a quick reaction force, ready to conduct an operation at a moment’s notice.
“Commandos and ANA soldiers are both brothers from the same father, serving their country, but the way the Commando go about conducting operations is what sets them apart,” said Lawang. “Commandos are trained to react to any mission as quickly as possible, and because of the great success they have experienced, hopes of peace in our country have grown.”
The quick reaction missions the Commandos are renowned for often last only a few hours, and are often performed under the cover of darkness without warning, rightfully instilling fear in the insurgent forces they oppose.
On the other end of the operation spectrum sits the ANA Special Forces, who are often a long-term stability force operating near villages to provide security and improve the quality of life of the Afghan people.
The ANA Special Forces detachments are a considerably smaller, and a much newer addition to the ANA arsenal. The ANASF qualification course has, so far, only graduated two classes of Special Forces members from the ANA School of Excellence.
The ranks of the elite force is drawn from both regular ANA and Commando forces, with higher requirements and education standards needed to be eligible for Special Forces.
After graduating the 12-week ANASF course, the candidates must then operate alongside U.S. Special Forces for a six-month imbed period. During the partnered time, the U.S. Special Forces teams ensure the Afghan candidates master the techniques needed to be a successful force before being presented their symbolic tan beret.
“Our forces are the best throughout Afghanistan, and are all working together to combat the enemy in the most effective way possible and finish the war [against insurgents], so that the Afghan people will finally know peace,” said Col. Nader, 1st Commando Brigade executive officer. “We have worked hard to develop the best forces Afghanistan has, and won’t rest until our country is where we want it to be.”
Even though the brigade has developed a force of over nine Commando Kandaks and one Special Forces Kandak in only three years, this is only the beginning, said Lawang. There are still many goals and achievements the brigade hopes to achieve within the next three years.
The first of which is simply growing. The forces of the 1st Commando Brigade are a highly requested asset across the country, and to ensure they are able to handle any mission without being spread too thinly, the force must continue to grow.
ANA forces hope to standup a second Commando Brigade, as well as a brigade dedicated to ANA Special Forces, to ensure each force has the attention, leadership and equipment needed to continue the fight against the insurgent forces.
One of the biggest goals the brigade has is one of the most obvious for this type of force, the ability to operate independently. Self-sufficiency has always been a goal, but each day that passes sees the Afghan forces come closer to the achievement.
Even today as they operate alongside U.S. Special Forces, Commando and SF leadership are taking a bigger role in the planning of each mission they encounter.
Years ago the schoolhouse roles were more defined, with U.S. Forces always at the head of the class. Now, more often U.S. Special Forces instructors are taking a backseat to the Afghan Commando and SF instructors that have begun to populate the School of Excellence.
“We are working towards bringing our forces up to the international level that our U.S. and Coalition brothers are on, and that is the focus our school house is aiming for,” said Lawang. “We are grateful for the support and aid our U.S. brothers have given us so far, and hope they will continue to aid us in obtaining the assets and training we need to be a self-sufficient force.”
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