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TARIN KOT, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army infantry soldiers in Uruzgan province have been operating independently since October 2012, and now Afghan National Army Engineers here are ready to take control of their operations.
United States forces began training ANA soldiers from 4th Brigade, 205th Corps, Route Clearance Company over a year ago. The 1039th Engineer Company from the Arkansas National Guard took over the mentoring and advisory mission in September 2012 to ensure the Afghans’ independence and sustainability.
In order to accomplish this task, the Afghan soldiers had to become proficient in several areas. Not only do they need to be able to detect, clear, and detonate explosives, they also have to understand the logistics of their operation and be able to maintain their equipment. Additionally, they have to develop techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) based on their capabilities to counter any threats they may encounter with this dangerous mission.
The Afghan soldiers began their training in the classroom, according to Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Reynolds. “The training began with a series of powerpoint presentations, and then progressed into hands-on demonstrations,” said Reynolds.
In the past, the majority of successful missions have been carried out by officers. Reynolds worked hand-in-hand with the platoon sergeant from 4/205th RCC to strengthen their Non-Commissioned Officer Corps, which will provide a more educated and fundamentally sound company.
After the soldiers were comfortable with the fundamentals of route clearance and their equipment, they began partnering with U.S. military personnel to learn standard operating procedures and the routes in their area.
Foot and vehicle patrols are the main tasks of a route clearance patrol. Vehicles with mine rollers are typically used throughout the majority of the route, but when approaching an area of interest, soldiers dismount and check the area on foot.
Afghan soldiers are equipped with handheld mine detectors equivalent to the ones used by U.S. forces. Dismounted patrols allow soldiers to search foot paths and areas that are hard for vehicles to maneuver, but this comes with the danger of not being protected by the armor of a vehicle.
“They use vehicle patrols to search the roads for improvised explosive devices,” said Staff Sgt. Zach Mullins. “They use dismounted foot patrols to search for command wires and mines. Dismounted patrols can also be used to deter insurgent activity.”
In November and December, the 4/205th RCC worked independently in support of the Afghan National Army’s 4th Kandak, 4th Brigade, 205th Corps, clearing routes in support of Operation Kalak Hode VI.
“When they’ve worked with the Kandak, they’ve been successful in finding explosives,” said 1st Lt. Lucas Jennings, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, 1039th Engineer Company.
Soldiers from the 1039th Engineer Company carried out partnered missions throughout January with the 4/205th RCC, with the ANA soldiers leading the way. This was the final step in the training and validation process.
The Afghan National Army Route Clearance Company completed all the requirements and proved they are ready to conduct independent operations in support of 4/205 Kandak missions. The 77 ANA Route Clearance Company soldiers who were validated during the training were recognized and presented with a framed plaque on Feb. 23, 2013, at a graduation ceremony at Multi National Base Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
Jennings said their motivation and enthusiasm is high, and he believes the ANA will succeed after coalition forces are gone.
“They definitely want to go out there and change Afghanistan,” Jennings said. “There’s a definite positive attitude in the whole 205 Corps. They want to make a difference; they want to find IEDs. They want to make their country safe, and I believe they will.”
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2013 09:20 |
| Story ID: | 102682 |
| Location: | TIRINKOT, AF |
| Web Views: | 790 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Afghan National Army assumes command of route clearance mission, by CW1 Jessi McCormick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
