Shaping Afghanistan’s future rewarding for assistant chief of staff

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

03.31.2012

Story by Chief Petty Officer L.A. Shively 

Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Oscillating between keeping the commanding general informed, shaping the future fight and fighting the current fight, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans Col. Norman Cooling, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), said his job kept him busy, but also put him in a position where he was privileged to watch the Afghan National Security Forces, and the country’s leadership, grow and begin to take the reins of their country.

“It’s very rewarding because you see things on the positive side, like [Helmand Provincial] Gov. Gulab Mangal taking charge of a shura without any reliance on coalition forces,” said Cooling. “I could see elements of governance actually start to root and take effect.”

Many of the tribal animosities between the diverse Afghan organizations dissolved, as those in charge realized they will have to rely on one another, because the coalition forces are already starting to leave, he said.

Mechanisms like operational control centers at the regional and provincial levels were put in place to smooth transition. During shuras at the centers, information is conveyed up and down the chain of command among the military and various Afghan security forces, so commanders can make decisions at all levels of their system.

“We’ve accelerated ANSF equipment fielding and competency at the tactical level,” said Cooling. “Their success in that regard is our success.”

As coalition troops withdraw, other challenges come into focus for the colonel. He said surge recovery requires mitigating the risk associated with leaving fewer troops in the battle space and fewer resources to utilize. There is an inherent sense of urgency addressing policy, Afghan law and issues concerning partner forces.

There are multiple facets to doing that he said, “but what we have in place is a plan that is feasible.”

“Colonel Cooling balanced and applied the limited resources available,” said Navy Command Master Chief Frank Johnson, II MEF (Fwd). “He set a clear strategic path in which the command would move forward and ensured that the commander’s priorities and intent were always met.”

Cooling’s longest days revolved around losing fellow Marines. One incident stands out. Mechanical failure resulted in the hard landing of a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter carrying several Marines who perished in the accident.

“That was a particularly long day because it saps your emotion,” said Cooling. “When you have a [tragic accident] like that, it leads to a succession of other issues and decisions that have to be made.

Obviously your first concern is dealing with casualties and survivors, and that is what this headquarters is all about – dealing with those types of emergencies, in terms of a combat operations center.”

Although every day is long, the weeks and months are short, making for a short year, he said. As his deployment drew to a close, Cooling turned his attention toward his successor for a positive direction forward and reflected on his time in the country.

“A year ago, there was no way Afghan leadership could have done this on their own and now they are in the lead,” he said. “Watching that develop has been without question the most rewarding part, because it gives you hope that they can win this thing.”

He particularly valued the efforts of his Marines, coalition forces and the civilians working for a better future for Afghans, said Cooling.

“Over time, what matters most to me and kept me personally in uniform are the people you meet and work with, who are motivated by altruistic values, as opposed to money, or some sort of personal gain,” he said.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2012
• Date Posted: 03.31.2012 11:41
• Story ID: 86064
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF