Task Force Led by New York Guardsmen Grew Afghan Army, New Yorkers Prepare to Hand Over to Illinois Guardsmen

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.12.2008

Courtesy Story

New York National Guard

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From the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

Task Force Led by New York Guardsmen Grew Afghan Army, New Yorkers Prepare to Hand Over to Illinois Guardsmen

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The multi-national, multi-service task force led by a New York Army National Guard Brigade added more than 7,000 trained Soldiers to the Afghan National during the last ten months, as part of its training mission.

The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has provided the command and control for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix since April 26, as well as contributing almost 1,700 soldiers to security force and training teams stationed across the country.

Along with adding the 6 battalions, called Kandaks, to the Afghan Army, the coalition task force also validated 24 other battalions as being ready to fight. The training teams also field thousands of modern weapons to the Afghan Army include M-16s and armored humvees.

The 27th IBCT will hand over control of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix to the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd IBCT on Dec. 19. Members of the New York National Guard unit have already begun returning home. The rest of the unit will return home later this month and in early January.
"I am extremely proud of every service member in the task force and the contributions they made to the Afghan National Security Forces," said Colonel Brian K. Balfe, the commander of the 27th IBCT and Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix.

"We have made a significant difference in the lives of the Afghan people and their government," he said. "Commanding the 27th and CJTF-Phoenix has been the proudest moment of my life and 25-year military career, both on active duty and in the Guard."

CJTF-Phoenix is part of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan with the mission to mentor and train the Afghan national army and police, and provide assistance to the Government of Afghanistan and its people.

The task force is presently comprised of more than 7,400 service men and women from all U.S. branches including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, coalition partners and civilian professionals spread over nearly 240 Forward Operating Bases throughout Afghanistan. Following a realignment of forces in late summer, the 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment falls under the operational control of CJTF-Phoenix but is no longer considered a part of the task force.

The New York National Guard Soldiers came from communities across New York and formed the largest single deployment from the New York National Guard since World War II. About 230 of these Soldiers were mobilized in September of last year while the main body was called up in January.

Hundreds of New York Soldiers served in CJTF-P as trainers, advisors, mentors, security-force, logistics and staff. Many have experience in state and later federal active duty after the 9-11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Soldiers who are also members of the NYPD and FDNY are serving here. The New York National Guard is the only part of America's military force that served at "Ground Zero."

Roughly a third of the 27th IBCT team in Afghanistan has already served in previous deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

National Guard personnel from many states have served as embedded trainers, security-force personnel, logistical and support staff, and in assignments in the task force and subordinate regional security integration command headquarters.

CJTF-Phoenix VII Accomplishments since Transfer of Authority on 26 April 2008

• The Afghan National Army has grown by 6 Kandaks (Battalions), resulting in 7,382 additional Afghan Soldiers

• 24 ANA Kandaks were validated CM-1 for independent operations, resulting in 25 percent of the ANA Kandaks validated as capable of independent operations

• Assisted in the planning and execution of over 100 major named operations with the Afghan national security forces

• The ANA fielded thousands of modern NATO weapons and equipment, including M16A2 rifles and UAHs, improving their capabilities while reducing their vulnerabilities to enemy actions

• Established a Counter Improvised Explosive Device team that trained thousands of Afghan soldiers and policemen

• More than $115 Million has been committed to nearly 400 separate construction and improvement projects at Forward Operating Bases, Company Outposts and District Centers across Afghanistan in support of U.S. and ANSF

•$39 million obligated through the Commander's Emergency Response Program to build roads, schools, clinics, dig wells, etc. to improve living conditions for the Afghan people

•Over 1,250 tons of humanitarian assistance aid delivered to women, children, schools and orphanages, an average of approximately 150 tons per month

•CJTF-P also conducted hundreds of humanitarian assistance and civil medical assistance operations in conjunction with ANSF, improving quality of life for ordinary Afghans while enhancing the bonds between the people, ANSF and their government

•The ANA fielded thousands of modern NATO weapons and equipment, including M16A2 rifles and UAHs, improving their capabilities while reducing their vulnerabilities to enemy actions

•Established CJTF-P Logistics Cell enabling the ANSF to receive more of the equipment and weapons they need sooner through increased support and development of the Afghan logistical system and capabilities, expediting modernization and long term sustainability of its forces

•Established a Counter Improvised Explosive Device team that trained thousands of Afghan soldiers and policemen