Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    National Guard soldiers embark on new Army mission

    National Guard soldiers embark on new Army mission

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Bell | The first National Guard Security Forces Advisory Assist Teams continues to prepare...... read more read more

    CAMP SHELBY, MS, UNITED STATES

    09.14.2012

    Story by Sgt. Ashley Bell 

    102d Public Affairs Detachment

    CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – The first National Guard Security Forces Advisory Assist Teams continues to prepare Sept. 14, 2012, for a scheduled deployment to Afghanistan in November in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

    The 56th Brigade Combat Team SFAAT, headquartered in Texas, has completed intensive training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in order to prepare them to assist trained Law Enforcement officers to help develop the Afghan National Police.
    This mission is important to ensure transition of US forces out of Afghanistan and to maintain the Regional Command's mission to strengthen good governance, to defeat the insurgency retain and expand security in key terrain, ensure transition progress, and improve conditions for economic growth.

    New concept, new mission, and new team. The first National Guard Security Forces Advisory Assist Teams continues to prepare Sept. 14, 2012, for a scheduled deployment to Afghanistan in November in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

    The 56th Brigade Combat Team SFAAT, headquartered in Texas, has completed intensive training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in order to meet mission requirements.

    “It is excellent training. I’ve been in the military for 27 years as enlisted and officer, and one of the biggest things I’ve been taught was ‘Fight as you train and train as you fight,’” said Maj. Patrick Harty, commander of Team 5 Charlie in the 56th BCT.

    The training builds really good unit and team cohesion, said Sgt. Peter Willis, member of the 56th BCT SFAAT.

    “The training definitely helps; and the purpose of the battle drills is to teach us how to react to threats and continue to get the mission done,” he said.

    The SFAAT teams are not structured like normal units; they are nine-to-20 man teams who will embed to support the Afghan Uniformed Police, which recently changed its name from the Afghan National Police. The teams receive specialized training before they arrive in country.

    This special training includes, but is not limited to, classroom and field operations and some will focus on things such as strategizing, planning and learning how to instruct.

    “The mission has shifted more towards advising as opposed to assisting, but it’s to help them take over their responsibility and give them a helping hand on how to do it better,” said Willis.

    “This is training soldiers don’t normally receive here at Shelby, but now they are training to become the trainer,” said Sgt. Vannessa L. Josey, public affairs noncommissioned officer in charge for the 158th Infantry Brigade. “They will show the higher level how to plan the fight, do the fight and exit the fight to be self-sustaining.”

    “One of the biggest things we focus on is assistance, making sure we have negotiations down, using the right lingo, and understanding the code of conduct of Pasto Wali,” said Harty. “The approach we take is what I can do to help you.”

    With the 56th BCT SFAAT teams being comprised of soldiers with different backgrounds, they have been working to build strong unit cohesion and morale in order to accomplish their mission.

    “Morale is good considering this is a new concept and things are continuously developing,” said Harty.

    “We’re all getting along really well; half of us are officers and the other half are enlisted, which is different from regular units,” said Willis. “Everyone is coming together and pulling different knowledge from various [occupational specialties] and throwing it together in a melting pot.”

    Willis said for soldiers interested in joining the SFAAT, it is a different style mission. He recommended an open mind and readiness to work with foreign nationals.

    “It’s interesting and a good mission,” he said.

    The SFAAT bring a wealth of experience to benefit the AUP. This is the second time an SFAAT has been deployed to Afghanistan. The first SFAAT, comprised of active duty soldiers, deployed in the Spring.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.14.2012
    Date Posted: 09.18.2012 12:29
    Story ID: 94895
    Location: CAMP SHELBY, MS, US

    Web Views: 672
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN