Animal Company develops, mentors, advises Afghans

FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, AFGHANISTAN

05.27.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Garcia 

Regional Command Southwest

FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan – As Marines continue to retrograde from Afghanistan, the shift in focus from combat operations to advising and mentoring the Afghan National Security Forces have becomes ever increasing.

Marines with Animal Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, work to establish an effective Afghan fighting force. While deployed, Animal Co.’s, main focus is to ensure the ANSF in Sangin are capable of providing future security for the local population. To accomplish their mission the Marines conduct partnered patrols. They also conduct classes and training in marksmanship, the use of mine detectors, the employment of counter improvised explosive devices, and in some instances, partnered physical fitness sessions.

“Our mission is to develop the capacities in the ANSF in support of the presidential timeline of withdrawal,” said 1st Lt. Brett Howard, the operations officer for Animal Co., 1st Bn., 7th Marines, and an Orlando native. “We are also in charge of the turnover of domestic security in the area to the ANSF and ensuring they have the abilities to take sole responsibility for the security of Sangin.”

While there are many advisor teams operating in Afghanistan, Animal Co., is unique to 1st Bn., 7th Marines.

“This is the first time ever that a company has been put together internally to a battalion to do the advisor mission,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher Easter, company first sergeant for Animal Co., 1st Bn., 7th Marines, and a native of Valley Springs, Calif. “So our Marines underwent training at the Advisor Training Cell and we also sent Marines to San Diego State University to be able to undergo Pashto language classes.”

Animal Co. has seven advisor teams: four specifically focused on advising the Afghan National Army; two assigned to the Afghan National Civil Order Police; and one devoted to the Afghan Uniform Police, which also looks after the development of the Afghan Local Police. Dispersing throughout the ANSF has allowed for continued success through the partnership.

“The ANSF have been very receptive,” Howard said. “We’ve made some pretty significant strides in a very short time in terms of developing the operational control center for the district.”
Marines along with their ANSF counterparts have also started to develop a maintenance program, which will be sustainable long term through locally sourced programs.

The ANSF have also participated in coalition operations to accomplish the mission at hand.

“The ANSF have completed a couple of coordinated operations, not just with the Marines but with other ANSF units mixed in,” Howard said. “The purpose behind this is to achieve a greater end state and accomplish the commanders intent of removing enemy fighters from the battlefield. They’ve participated in named operations with the battalion and they’ve done a superb job in wrapping up lethal aid, enemy fighters, identifying cash sites and identifying IED locations.”

Easter noted the ANSF’s ability to understand the situation and the need to receive the proper training necessary to accomplish their mission.

“The ANSF have received us with open arms,” Easter said. “We were fortunate enough to come in after 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, which did an excellent job at helping pave a way for us to follow. We just picked up where they left off.”

Easter said the ANSF have been very productive thus far and understand the purpose of Animal Co., and the need for them to be prepared to assume command of their country.

• Date Taken: 05.27.2012
• Date Posted: 05.30.2012 06:53
• Story ID: 89150
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, AF