Regional coordination center synchronizes security forces

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story by 1st Lt. Amber McCarty

Date: 05.13.2013
Posted: 05.18.2013 10:33
News ID: 107182

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (May 13, 2013) – Representatives from across the Afghan National Security Forces attended an update brief at the Operations Coordination Center – Regional East at Forward Operating Base Thunder May 13.

The briefing was held to discuss security plans for the upcoming Afghan voter registration campaign scheduled for the end of this month.

Brig. Gen. Daoud Andrabi, director, OCC-R East, briefed Maj. Gen. James McConville, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-101, Regional Command East, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) on their preparations.

The OCC-R consists of personnel from the Afghan National Army, Afghan Uniform Police, Afgan Border Police, National Directorate of Security and Afghan National Civil Order Police working together for a common purpose - to bring security, stability and confidence in their government to the people of Afghanistan.

“OCC-R is a center, on a regional level, where all the major operations, coordination and synchronization takes place, “said Lt. Col. Ronald Campbell, advisor, OCC-R East.

Voter registration begins May 26, and provisional election chiefs continue to identify equipment shortages and any gaps in their plan.

Joint planning and leveraging, along with integration and synchronization of resources, is the main mission of the OCC-R.

The OCC-R is the place where ANSF departments can come together, said Campbell, a native of Atlanta, Ga.

“If we can’t work together, we cannot achieve a common goal and the common goal is that RC-East is secure, has credible elections, peace on the borders and can facilitate the transfer of the combat outposts and forward operating bases,” he said.

McConville closed the brief by saying that the future of Afghanistan is bright and that U.S. Coalition Forces will be here to advise and assist the ANA over the coming months, emphasizing three main points - the enemy will be defeated this summer, Afghanistan can expect to have a good voter registration, and next spring, Afghanistan will have a great election.