By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco
NTM-A Public Affairs
CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan – Overcoming the challenging terrain and land locked geography of Afghanistan makes logistics one of most challenging missions in the country.
The Logistical Training and Advisory Group, comprised of several servicemen and women from both the Army and Air Force, seeks to teach the Afghan National Army’s 4th Forward Support Depot personnel how to overcome those challenges.
“Our depot provides all classes of supply to the combat units of the ANA’s 209th Corps,” said Army Maj. Erik Dye, chief of the 4th FSD Logistical Advisory Team. “The FSD plays a huge role in ANA operations in the North.”
The 209th Corps is the higher headquarters for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigades as well as the 5th commando unit. The adviser team is made up of eight service members, each in a different discipline ranging from medical to munitions, and office supplies to fuel and vehicles.
A combination of solid advising and dedication by the ANA has made the 4th FSD one of the most established ANA supply depots in the country.
“It comes down to ‘How receptive is the leadership?’” Dye said. “We’ve gotten lucky that we’ve had an outstanding officer-in-charge. You’ve got outstanding people at the different positions in the ANA, and then you just have motivated mentors who want to get in there and make a difference every day.”
Though he’s only been the chief of LTAG for a short time, Dye said he can already tell that, every day, the mentor team is dedicated to getting out to the FSD and making a difference.
The LTAG has made some significant gains during the past several months, specifically, teaching the ANA to automate their systems and anticipate future supply needs. The latter is especially important in the North as supply routes get cut off during the winter months and mountain passes are snowed in.
“We are starting to build on things,” Dye said. “The ANA are starting to push beyond what they have to do. They are stretching the logistics.”
Seeing the results of their efforts can be as rewarding for the advisers as it is for the ANA.
“The ANA soldiers that I advise here share and create an environment of camaraderie and professionalism in a deadly munitions environment that really allows me as a non-commissioned officer to be proud,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Taylor Dempsey, 4th FSD ANA munitions mentor. “Personally, I love working alongside my advisees because they see life and work in a way that forces you to really respect the amazing Afghan culture.”
Dempsey says he’s seen the ANA progress in their operations as NATO forces work toward passing control of countrywide security to the Afghan National Security Forces.
“Since I arrived, I’ve watched the ANA begin to transition in many ways,” Dempsey said. “They are beginning to move away from pen and paper processes to more advanced automated systems. Also, the ANA are training on more advanced NATO weapon systems; this will not only increase their combat potency but diminishes the enemy's ammo stockpile.”
Though it is a daunting task, the ANA has stepped up and shown that no matter how tough it gets, they are a dedicated force focused on taking control of their future, and their destiny.
Dempsey puts it best when he says, “No matter how hot the weather is or how long we’ve been working, the ANA continue to smile, joke, and press on with the mission.”
| Date Taken: |
07.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
07.01.2011 13:23 |
| Story ID: |
73112 |
| Location: |
CAMP MIKE SPANN, AF |
| Web Views: |
172 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Subscribe
LEAVE A COMMENT