CHIMTAL DISTRICT, Afghanistan - The largest partnered training and mentoring operation between coalition and Afghan National Security Forces in the International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command North area of responsibility concluded here, Sunday.
The week-long operation, headed up by Afghan Third Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Farooq Ahmadi, included over 1,000 ANSF personnel and provided them with training on basic improvised explosive device mitigation techniques and an understanding of the IED threat.
It produced our first ever partnered operations and mentoring on enemy killed in action, captured enemies and IED defeat, said Navy Lt. Michael R. Haytasingh commander of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 attached to Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, which has responsibility for counter-IED operations in theater, and based out of Camp Mike Spann which provided mentorship and assistance for the event.
During the operation, the ANSF involved were mentored by coalition forces on conducting joint operations to eliminate insurgent presence in the area of responsibility and methods for discouraging insurgent movement. The mentorship also focused on the clearing of IEDs from main supply routes and public roadways.
Soldiers of the 4/3/209th Route Clearance Company, 1st Platoon, conducted daily partnered operations in accordance with intelligence, EOD 9-line reports and a predetermined plan of the day. EODMU3 CO3 team 3-3-A, with security from 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team personal security detachment, provided mentorship and assistance over the course of the event.
The operation also established a temporary joint operations center at the Chimtal police headquarters.
“They showed they were able to plan, organize, and execute some large scale movements with ANSF operations to include quick response force, response, and route clearance,” said Haytasingh. “I was proud to see them successfully accomplish what most people have said would not and has not happened yet. I feel we have not checked the box but filled it in with regards to actually mentoring the ANSF.”
"This is the first time the [ANSF] and coalition forces have worked together on a single mission of this magnitude,” said EOD technician Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron S. Helmer of EODMU-3. “This mission was virtually run solely by them, receiving only minimal support from Coalition Forces.”
The event will aid Afghan forces in the area to disrupt insurgent activity, prohibit their freedom of movement and defeat IEDs, said EOD technician Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin M. Johnston of EODMU-3.
"With draw-down 2014 on the horizon, it is imperative the Afghan National Army [ANA], especially their EOD/IEDD capability, truly begin to operate independently of [U.S. and coalition forces] support,” said EOD technician Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Tsui of EODMU-3. “This event/coalition mission was a gigantic step forward towards proving they can operate independently.”
“Hopefully, the news of this event will expose the true nature of the EOD/IEDD mission and the ANA leadership will see, with eyes wide open, exactly how important this asset is to their military and their country,” said Tsui. “With that revelation, we further hope that it will catalyze the necessary changes in the system for their EOD/IEDD force to receive the proper amount and spectrum of support to operate in a continually safe and sustainable way beyond our time here."
It was awesome to see the ANSF supporting their country in this way, said Haytasingh. “I am honored to work with a great group of U.S. Navy EOD Techs which have been motivated, steadfast, and most of all patient in accomplishing the number two most important objective on our operations order."
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2012 02:09 |
| Story ID: | 87214 |
| Location: | CHIMTAL DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: | 538 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Partnered operation involves more than 1,000 ANSF, by LTJG Andrew Carleen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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