TF Talon IO NCO efforts keep COIN standards high

LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.13.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Bruce Cobbeldick 

173rd Airborne Brigade

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Rank is not always an indicator of a soldier’s maturity or abilities. For one junior non-commissioned officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, a great deal of responsibility has been entrusted to him; he coordinates the majority of the information operations for his entire battalion.

Information operations is a phrase used to define words, deeds and images to shape desired outcomes of efforts made by coalition forces. Soldiers who can grasp the complexities of relationship building and build bridges toward change that is both meaningful and measurable is pivotal to counterinsurgency.

U.S. Army Sgt. Lawrence A. Pinto, a Task Force Talon fire support paratrooper from Shelton, Conn., thrives on these kinds of challenges. Despite being in the Army just six years, Pinto, who was trained at Fort Sill, Okla., has three deployments under his belt, which could be seen as significant experience for a junior NCO.

“Information operations takes a rare mix of interpersonal skill, maturity, tactical patience, intelligence and a desire to understand other cultures; Sgt. Pinto is that kind of guy,” said U.S. Army Maj. Matthew J. Yandura, the 173rd’s information operations officer from Troy, Mich. “This unit is lucky to have an NCO like him.”

But, according to Pinto, the success of his team is due to the organization’s ability to teach COIN strategies throughout its ranks. The 173rd‘s information operations team have taken substantial steps toward changing mindsets.

“I think the biggest leap forward we have made is with our FM radio network,” said Pinto. “It was originally a small-scale program … We have been able to reach thousands more with the radio network than we ever could have through face-to-face engagements.”

The growth and improvement of the radio network in Wardak has been pivotal to the unit’s success.

“I hope this network grows into an even greater enterprise,” Pinto added. “It provides employment, and a forum for the voices of the people to be heard, in addition to honest, up-to-date news on current events specific to areas around Wardak, not just on a national level.”

The unit is getting close to an autonomous Afghan National Security Forces IO program, which will eliminate some challenges coalition forces face.

“The [Afghan National Army], given the right leadership, are an excellent force in securing and sustaining areas of Afghanistan coalition forces would otherwise have extreme trouble with,” said Pinto. “The lack of cultural and linguistic boundaries makes them far more efficient at engaging the local populace.”

This has been the cornerstone of the ANSF IO training plan, nicknamed Project Pinto, implemented in southern Wardak.

“By putting ourselves in the shoes of the citizens of Wardak, we benefit from better rapport with the Afghan people,” Pinto said. “Understanding who we are and why we are out here helps us prioritize what we need to train the ANSF to address and help them to be resilient and adaptive problem-solvers.”

• Date Taken: 10.13.2010
• Date Posted: 10.12.2010 15:31
• Story ID: 57968
• Location: LOGAR PROVINCE, AF