CAPTF armament advisor makes Afghans proud

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson | A view from a window in an Afghan national army air corps MI-35 Hind helicopter of another Mi-35 Hind E helicopter piloted by Maj. Bela Lazar, Hungarian Operational Mentoring Liaison Team commander, and Capt. Gholar Mohaiudin, Afghanistan national army air corp MI-35 pilot, May 15, 2010, over Afghanistan.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

05.15.2010

Story by Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson 

United States Air Forces Central       

KABUL, Afghanistan – Master Sgt. Raymond Rogers Jr. stands and watches two Afghanistan national army air corps weapon loaders put new 12.7 mm rounds into the Yak-B Gatling gun of an MI-35 Hind E attack helicopter. He stands with a smile on his face. The kind of smile a proud parent or teacher could understand.

For Rogers Jr., 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron armament and ammunition flight advisor, the year he's spent supporting the Combined Air Power Transition Force effort to build a professional air force for Afghanistan has been richly rewarding.

"When I first got here we had nine Afghans assigned to us and they had no knowledge of how to execute this mission," said Rogers Jr., who is deployed from Seymour -Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. "To see these guys go from knowing nothing about loading weapons on these airframes to conducting the mission with me just standing here watching is something that fills me with pride."

With help from Czech Republic and Hungarian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team members, Rogers Jr. trained 17 ANAAC soldiers on MI-35 and MI-17 weapons loading and unloading, armament storage, safety, weapons accountability, NATO standards and leadership skills.

"Sgt. Rogers Jr. has been a great mentor for us," said Master Sgt. Abdul Wahid, ANAAC weapons loader. "He has shared his knowledge and helped us learn to put weapons on our aircraft to protect Afghans. He makes us proud."

Recently ANAAC Mi-35 aircrews completed two milestones. First, they were employed to neutralize Taliban Forces in the Baghlan province, their first kinetic operation since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. The other was a mission where Mi-35 aircrews provided armed escort to Mi-17 helicopters transporting Afghanistan national army soldiers to a forward location.

"Both those mission required ANAAC weapons loaders to do their job the right way in order for those Mi-35 aircrews to be effective on the battlefield," said Rogers Jr., a native of Eliot, Maine. "This is what this deployment has been about for me, helping the Afghans take care of their nation's security and protect its citizens. To have a hand in helping out with that is something I will never forget.

While teaching the Afghans the weapons loadings skills for MI-35 and MI-17 aircrews to be effective on the battle field, Sergeant Rogers also taught his ANAAC soldiers another important skill … how to throw a football.

"It's fun to throw the ball around sometimes," said Sgt. Pacha Ghul, ANAAC weapons loader. "I am actually better when I kick it. My arm is not so good."

The ANAAC weapons loaders often throw the ball around as a way to bond and share American culture with Rogers Jr.

"They are not quite ready to run routes yet, but they'll get there one day," said Rogers Jr., laughing out loud. "These guys have become like my family and we've all grown together. They may have learned from me but I have learned a lot from them."

With his tour winding up Rogers Jr. can't wait to see what the future holds for Afghanistan.

"This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life," the 20-year Air Force veteran said. "I can't wait to see how far they come in the next year or two. I can't wait to see what's next, the future looks bright for Afghanistan and I'm glad to have had a small part in that hopeful future."

• Date Taken: 05.15.2010
• Date Posted: 05.23.2010 11:55
• Story ID: 50130
• Location: KABUL, AF