Provincial efforts in Logar prepare Afghanistan for security responsibility

LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

06.03.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Elvis Umanzor 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – As Afghan National Security Forces assume responsibility for security ahead of the U.S. Forces draw down in 2014, the Operational Coordination Center, Provincial unifies security agencies across Logar province.

The OCC-P in Logar works 24- hours a day and is manned by Afghan Uniformed Police, Afghan National Army soldiers and members of the Afghan National Directorate of Security, who coordinate with security agencies in the province.

“The Afghans are in the lead,” said U.S. Army Maj. Elliott Bird, the executive officer for the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Security Forces Advise and Assist Team to the Logar OCC-P.

Bird, a Salt Lake City, Utah, native and a member of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), said the OCC-P also works with the provincial government to promote governance and security for its people. The OCC-P established a tip line, which received three tips since its activation three weeks ago, he added.

“The greatest success for the OCC-P is the unity, which is between coalition advisers of the OCC-P and the ANSF,” said Afghan National Army Col. Abdul Habib, the operations officer for OCC-P Logar. “This is the greatest and key achievement as we work as one independent team … coordinating security forces on the ground.”

The Logar OCC-P recently coordinated three operations and continues to track new security checkpoints.

Habib said a great achievement for the OCC-P is the increased security on the highway which leads to Kabul, because the ANA are able to diffuse any type of enemy movement and ambushes.

“We as OCC-P staff do our best to decrease CIVCAS (civilian casualties) day by day, and bring better security for the people,” Habib said. He added there are difficulties like budgeting and lack of weapons and aircraft, but in the last four years he has seen improvements, specifically in the increased number of security personnel like the Afghan National Civil Order Police.

Habib praised the coalition advisers for their help and training. “We are happy to work with the current team,” he said.

As the U.S. and coalition forces footprint gets smaller, the ANSF will soon take full responsibility for securing Logar and Afghanistan.

“It will be an obligation for ANSF to be in charge and carry the full responsibility,” said Habib. “They have to take the responsibility.”

“We have good and talented people at the MOD (Ministry of Defense) to manage and lead the Army and defend our country’s borders.

• Date Taken: 06.03.2013
• Date Posted: 06.07.2013 10:52
• Story ID: 108246
• Location: LOGAR PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US