Joint effort opens Parwan Operations Coordination Center

PARWAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

04.16.2011

Story by Spc. James Wilton 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Parwan Operation Coordination Center-Provincial compound in Charikar, held a grand opening ceremony April 7 to mark the completion of a remodel and renovation project which started in June 2010.

With Coalition Forces guidance, representatives from the Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Directorate of Security work from the OCC-P to coordinate response efforts and disseminate information and intelligence. The goal is to provide a common operational picture across the Afghan National Security Forces in the province. so agencies can respond to security and emergency situations more effectively.

“The new operations center will ultimately serve to increase the capability and capacity of the ANSF and OCC-P to conduct provincial planning and security response,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Cunningham, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, OCC-P senior advisor from Fort Dodge, Iowa. “It provides a place for successful, combined forces, tactical operations, allowing us to maintain situational awareness of Parwan Province and a common operational picture, security awareness, consequence management and coordinate ANSF response to emergencies.”

The renovation included construction of new staff offices, barracks for the Afghan representatives who conduct 24-hour operations, a new operations center, an entry control point for the front gate and four new guard towers for the compound.

“The renovation provided good working and living conditions for the staff officers that work here,” said Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Abdul Jalil Rahimi, the OCC-P commander. “Now all can work together in the same compound and operations center.”

The establishment of these operational coordination centers is an important step toward the transition of the security responsibility to the ANSF, he said.

“The equipping of the ANSF is our main goal,” said Shahwali, the Parwan Province sub governor. “According to the agreement with the international community, handover of security responsibility from foreign forces is going on in the current year.”

Successful integration will increase the capabilities of the ANSF forces and increase the confidence of the local people in their ability to keep them safe, Shahwali said.

“A successful Parwan OCC-P will provide for overall better security for the people of Charikar and Parwan,” said Cunningham. “Better security will bring more development and opportunities for jobs, for the local population, ultimately, building the people’s trust and confidence in the local security forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”

• Date Taken: 04.16.2011
• Date Posted: 04.15.2011 20:40
• Story ID: 68829
• Location: PARWAN PROVINCE, AF