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FORWARD OPERATING BASE KOSTEL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Force liaisons and International Security Assistance Force members at the Joint Border Coordination Center are working to ensure peace and stability along a 1,100-kilometer stretch of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. They battle insurgent smuggling operations using words – not weapons. Through effective communication between security forces on both sides of the border, the JBCC works to ensure a stable future for Afghanistan.
“I believe the contributions of the team here, as well as all of our ANSF partners and ISAF here, has put Afghanistan on an irreversible path of progress,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Huggins, commander of the Regional Command-South and the 82nd Airborne Division. “Under the most trying circumstances, we are working with our Afghan brothers and our Pakistani friends, trying to keep tensions down here so we can continue to provide regional stability for this part of the world.”
The JBCC here, one of only two such locations in the country, was established in October 2009 with the mission to communicate information about near border operations with various forces, which include the Afghanistan Border Police, Afghanistan National Army and Pakistan military.
“My primary goal is to facilitate transition of the JBCC, into an AFPAK Border Coordination Center,” said Col. John H. Burke, director of the JBCC. “As we all look to see Afghans in the lead, it is imperative that I seek to improve direct communications between ANSF and PAKMIL forces conducting near border operations.”
According to Burke, two key players in this transition are Afghan Col. Abdul Khalil of the border police and Afghan Lt. Col. Sayed Asadi of the army.
“Both are senior liaison officers for their respective services and act as the JBCC’s communications link to their service,” said Burke. “Col. Khalil is especially important as the 3rd Zone Afghan Border Police are the major force here on the RC-S border with Pakistan.”
In an organization focused on ensuring situational awareness across the AFPAK border and determined to eliminate Taliban smuggling and other illegal operations, Khalil and Asadi are critical assets.
“Both are very respected by their peers and come with a wealth of experience,” said Burke. “They work diligently and professionally and are fine examples of what Afghan officers can aspire to be.”
Progress sometimes means that Burke and his team are not always part of the decision making process between Khalil, Asadi and their PAKMIL partners across the border.
“When my PAKMIL and ANSF liaison officers communicate directly with each other and settle an issue or answer a question without my staff’s assistance we are one step closer,” said Burke, “and puts their Afghan and Pakistani leaders one day closer to peaceable and secure border operations.”
Along the border, solid coordinated efforts and effective communication will only benefit the peace and prosperity of both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“Both countries benefit when insurgents cannot use the border freely to hide or operate against security forces in either country,” said Burke. “Both countries rely on revenues generated through commercial travel across the border. Afghanistan’s ability to support its own government without outside financial assistance will be essential to its future.”
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2012 05:30 |
| Story ID: | 89051 |
| Location: | SPIN BOLDAK, AF |
| Web Views: | 436 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Border mission critical for future of Afghanistan, by CPT Brendan Mackie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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