Senate delegation visits TAAC-E

Photo By Maj. Jarrod Morris | Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., poses for a photo with West Virginia service members assigned to Train Advise Assist Command-East during a Senate delegation visit to Tactical Base Gamberi April 3, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jarrod Morris, TAAC-E Public Affairs)  

AFGHANISTAN

04.03.2015

Story by Capt. Jarrod Morris 

Resolute Support Headquarters

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – A U.S. Senate delegation visited Train, Advise, Assist Command – East at Tactical Base Gamberi April 3, 2015.

The delegation included Sen. Mitch McConnel, R-Ky., Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont.

The Senators talked with TAAC-E leaders and staff about the mission in eastern Afghanistan, met with Maj. Gen. Mohammad Zaman Waziri, the Afghan National Army’s 201st Corps commander, and also dined with U.S. troops for lunch.

During a discussion in the TAAC-E conference room, leaders and staff detailed operations in eastern Afghanistan for the Senators, and outlined progress with the advising efforts.

The delegation asked Army Brig. Gen. Christopher Bentley, the TAAC-E commander, about the strength of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and their ability to win against the enemy this fighting season.

“The ANDSF have been fighting for decades. They have the experience and they will win,” Bentley said.

Bentley offered an example of one way TAAC-E advisers are assisting their counterparts in the 201st Corps. “Where we can help them, through advice and assistance, is establishing an educational structure like the Regional Military Training Center,” Bentley said.

Once open, the training center will provide professional military education for Afghan troops in the region, and is an important step in helping the 201st Corps become sustainable for the long term, Bentley said. The training center would give the 201st Corps the capability to train new soldiers assigned to the corps, and provide progressive levels of professional leadership and technical training.

The delegation next met with Waziri at the 201st Corps headquarters at TB Gamberi. Waziri explained to the Senators that the transition from coalition forces to ANDSF has been successful, and he has seen many improvements. Waziri discussed the value of having daily interaction between TAAC-E advisers and the 201st Corps, and thanked TAAC-E for the mentorship in helping the corps prepare for the upcoming fighting season.

Waziri also talked about the security condition in eastern Afghanistan. “The enemy does not have capability to establish a presence, so it must resort to improvised explosive devices and kidnappings,” Waziri said.

Following the meeting at the 201st Corps headquarters, the delegation had the opportunity to dine with TAAC-E troops in the TB Gamberi dining facility. The Senators each sat at a table with service members from their home states. During the meal, the troops talked with the Senators about the mission in Afghanistan, and discussed a variety of topics from back home.

• Date Taken: 04.03.2015
• Date Posted: 04.05.2015 09:38
• Story ID: 159158
• Location: AF
• Hometown: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US
• Hometown: FORT CAMPBELL, TN, US
• Hometown: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US