TARIN KOT, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) logistics is continuing to develop while fighting their war against terror and has proven successful sustainment provides extended operational reach and endurance.
Sun Tzu the Chinese general, strategist and philosopher said the line between disorder and order lies in logistics.
Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) logistics is continuing to develop while fighting their war against terror and has proven successful sustainment provides extended operational reach and endurance.
In Uruzgan, members of the Australian Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Force Security Force Assistance Advisory Team (SFAAT) are advising the Afghan National Army’s 4th Brigade 205th Corps (4/205) until the transition at the end of 2013.
Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Chris Neish, 4/205 SFAAT Assistant Logistics Adviser, said the 4th Brigade continued to develop and demonstrate effectiveness in the delivery of Classes I, II, III and V effects and requirements.
(Class I supplies are food, gratuitous, health and comfort items, Class II is individual equipment, tentage, tools, unclassified maps, administrative and housekeeping supplies and equipment, Class III is petroleum, oil and lubricants and Class V is ammunition of all types).
“Overall the ANA’s system is working; we are not attempting to make any drastic changes,” he said. “We just need to develop their distribution methods.
WO2 Neish said future ANA planning needed to be focused on the needs of the supported units rather than ‘pushes’ of items which were on hand.
“A shortcoming of the push system is that inevitably either too much or too few supplies are sent to a unit,” he said.
“If the sub-units could use the more complicated ‘pull’ system to pick from a distribution list of available items it would improve the efficiency of their system by reducing wasted supplies.
This would also lower shipping requirements, and ensure items are available when needed.”
Lt. Col. Babri Ziyaratgul, CO 5th Kandak, 4th Brigade 205th Corps, is responsible for providing logistics and maintenance support to the Uruzgan based Kandaks.
He said there had been a lot of progress within the 5th Kandak logistics capabilities over the last few years because of the efforts of coalition mentors and advisers.
“We have worked hard to transform the 4th Brigade into an independent force,” he said.
“With the cooperation between the coalition forces and ANSF we have brought security to the province,” he said.
“And now, without ISAF support, we can launch independent operations across Uruzgan.
WO2 Neish said the distribution of food supplies within the 4th Brigade Kandaks was working well with any deficiencies being restocked monthly.
“There are no significant issues with the distribution of fuel as the ANA are obviously conducting successful independent operations throughout Uruzgan,” he said.
“The ‘push’ system has a noticeable effect on their supply Class V and there are instances of the brigade receiving ammunition which is not required.
“Stocktaking and cross levelling are solutions for this issue and we are working with the 4th Brigade to develop these processes.”
Lt. Col. Ziyaratgul said the 4th Brigade was capable of providing security to supply convoys being delivered to the Kandak headquarters in Deh Rawood, Chora and Mirabad, as well as the individual checkpoints throughout the province.
“We supply all our ammunition, rations, medical supplies and fuel (including firewood) as well as maintain our vehicle fleet for our combat operations,” he said.
“Thanks to the efforts of coalition forces our mechanics are now very experienced and can strip, repair and reassemble vehicle engines with ease.
“Our main challenge is still our supply chain and getting required equipment when we need it such as computers, printer cartridges and spare parts for our vehicles.”
WO2 Neish confirmed Class IX supply was an area he and his fellow advisers would focus on for the remainder of the mission.
(Class IX supplies are repair parts and components required for maintenance support of all equipment).
“ANA soldiers in their workshops can conduct excellent repairs to their vehicles and weapon systems,” he said.
“We just need to develop their managerial skills and give them the confidence to plan and track work, as well as backload equipment for major repairs, such as vehicle engines and plant equipment.
“Overall, the ANSF has made significant progress with its logistics system as it takes the lead for security responsibility across Afghanistan.
“At the end of the day, the ANSF have not experienced mission failures or no-goes because of a logistics problem.”
The ANSF will continue to professionalize its logistics personnel by improving their logistic skill sets supported by ISAF leadership and literacy development through to June 2014.
| Date Taken: | 08.23.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2013 06:29 |
| Story ID: | 112553 |
| Location: | TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Web Views: | 162 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Successful ANA sustainment, by OR-5 Mark Doran, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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