Subscribe
CAMP DWYER, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Afghan and Marine commanders from around southern Helmand province gathered for a commander’s conference at Regimental Combat Team 5 headquarters here, Oct. 12-13.
Brigadier Gen. Mohammad Ali Shujaie, 1st Brigade, 215 Corps commanding general, and Col. Roger Turner, RCT-5 commanding officer, hosted Afghan National Army and Afghan Uniform Police commanders, as well as the commanding officers of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
The conference provided an ideal opportunity for attendees to discuss the status of joint operations conducted by Afghan and coalition forces in Marjah, Nawa and Garmsir districts. Afghan and Marine commanders from each district brought their unique perspectives to discussions on security and stability operations in southern Helmand.
Turner kicked off the conference with a brief opening statement.
“In the short time I’ve been here I have been impressed with the solid performance of the 1st Brigade of the 215th Corps and the partnership they have with the Marines,” he began. “The operations that the kandaks are moving forward on have been impressive and have been largely responsible for defeating the enemy in southern Helmand.”
His remarks included a reminder to those present that there is still work to be done.
“We are positioned well to put a lot of pressure on the enemy this winter, to defeat them so when they try to come back next spring they have no capabilities,” continued Turner. “Our objective over the next several months is to give the [ANA] brigade a posture for the long run and getting the facilities, logistics and command and control to match our operational capabilities.”
Shujaie echoed Turner’s message of progress and renewed focus on the mission at hand by Afghan and Marine forces alike.
“We hope that whatever the flaws and mistakes we have made in the past that we solve them here today so that in the future we are on exactly the same page as we push forward,” Shujaie said. “The purpose of this conference is to help with stability and remove any obstacles at every angle to help diminish the enemy.”
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new 1/215 headquarters was conducted in conjunction with the conference. Afghan and Marine commanders attended the ceremony aboard the current brigade headquarters at Camp Garmsir, kicking off construction for this new 82,000 square meter facility.
Following an opening prayer by Lt. Col. Sultan Mohammad, 1/215 religious and cultural affairs officer, Shujaie took the podium to say a few words about the future home of the brigade.
“Today I am honored to attend such an important meeting,” Shujaie began. “This groundbreaking is the beginning of a new base that will allow the soldiers of 1/215 to establish security and support for our area of operation.”
After highlighting the importance of the new facility in maintaining security operations throughout southern Helmand, Shujaie made special mention of the effect a new brigade headquarters will have on his soldiers.
“Establishment of this camp is an important step in taking care of ANA soldiers,” he said. “In the future, we look to continue the education of ANA soldiers. We hope to provide security as our Marine partners have taught us.”
In his brief remarks from the podium, Turner echoed his Afghan counterpart’s message of a sustained security effort led by the 1/215 soldiers.
“Only a few years ago, the people of Marjah, Nawa, Garmsir and Kahn Neshin were terrorized by the enemies of Afghanistan. The people of southern Helmand now live in peace and security thanks to brave ANA soldiers,” Turner said. “With the construction of this new headquarters, I am confident that this brigade will be able to provide security in the long term.”
With speeches from the podium concluded, ANA soldiers and Marines crowded around the first few shovelfuls of dirt were removed, marking the beginning of construction. Two foundation stones, ornately wrapped in decorative paper, were placed in the freshly dug hole.
“In Afghan culture, when a king or government official lays down the foundation of a public project, they usually put gold or something of a value in the foundation,” explained Dauod Parwani, RCT-5 cultural adviser. “Today the general wrapped the first bricks of the foundation with gift papers to display his hope that this foundation will be used and serve for the principles on which it was built.”
Turner assisted in laying the foundation stones as the ceremony came to a close.
“I am confident that this brigade will be able to provide security for southern Helmand in the long term,” said Turner. “This brigade will defeat the enemies of Afghanistan, and let this stone be the first step.”
Editors Note: RCT-5 is assigned to 2nd Marine Division (Forward) which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2011 13:00 |
| Story ID: | 78621 |
| Location: | CAMP DWYER, HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Conference and groundbreaking reaffirm ANA, Marine partnership, by Andrew Miller, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT