GARDEZ, Afghanistan -- Advising Platform (AP) Lightning in Gardez, Afghanistan is home for Task Force (TF) Southeast and its mission to Train, Advise, and Assist (TAA) Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. It takes a team to conduct this mission.
Advisors to the 203rd Corps Afghan National Army (ANA) and 303rd Zone Police, Guardian Angels (GAs) who protect the Advisors, Officers and Soldiers from the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry, and personnel from a number of other organizations come together to execute this important mission.
“We’ve developed a focused plan to help the ANA improve,” said Capt. Matthew Nine, G4 Logistics Advisor for the Military Advising Team (MAT). “We help them plan and execute combat operations, plan for future operations, and fix challenges in their day to day activities,” said Nine.
Like the Army Advisors, Police Advisors from the Police Advising Team (PAT) also focus on improving capabilities. “Today, the police support the Army in counter-insurgency operations,” said Mr. James Hartman, a retired police officer from the Chicago area who serves as an embedded police advisor with DynCorp International.
“We also have to help them prepare for the future. We’re training and advising the police in rule of law practices, to include evidence-based investigations, problem-oriented policing, and targeting criminal networks so the police can transition to traditional policing functions as the security situation improves,” he added.
The TAA mission keeps advisors busy on a daily basis. But advisors can’t execute their mission without the help of Guardian Angels who are responsible for all security operations during advising missions.
“We begin our mission planning the day prior to execution. Our teams develop detailed security plans that ensure the advisors will be safe while conducting their duties,” said Staff Sgt. John Gray, Cavalry Scout for C Troop, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division. “We’re focused on their security,” he added.
“I enjoy being a GA. It’s tough providing security all day. You have to stay alert at all times. But I know the advisors are making a difference and it encourages me to do my best. It’s a great honor to contribute to such an important mission,” said Private First Class Jamal Gray, also of Charlie Troop.
To increase the frequency of engagements MAT and PAT advisors often invite their Afghan counterparts to AP Lightning. This requires the contributions of a contract guard force called Triple Canopy. Triple Canopy guards are critical to the security of AP Lighting. They enforce strict procedures for entry to AP Lightning and do so with an understanding of mission requirements and respect for Afghan cultural practices. In everything they do, Triple Canopy Guards build and maintain positive relationships with all who enter the base. “We run the entry control points and ensure the safety of everyone on AP Lightning,” said Barnabas Mbeine, a Sergeant Major with Triple Canopy.
And while security is paramount the TAA mission simply cannot occur without the skills and help of Afghan local national linguists. The linguist are invaluable in translating conversations between advisors and their Army or Police counterparts.
“I really enjoy working with the US advisors,” said Mr. Hamed Bigzad, a local national linguist.” Mr. Niamatullah, another linguist added, “We all have a part to play in the development of our country. I see serving as a linguist as both a sacred and compulsory duty.”
This year, Advisors have noticed improvements in both the Army and the Police. “I’ve been working with my counterparts since last November and witnessed significant improvement,” said Major Taylor Valentine, United States Air Force, who works with the MAT. “Building on the efforts of prior advisors, we have exponentially increased the ANDSF's focus on professional training. This has helped develop a more capable force and set a foundation for the future,” he added. “Challenges obviously still exist, but with continued partnership between the Coalition and ANDSF, Afghanistan will become self-sustaining and capable of securing their country.”
As advisors from 1st Cavalry Division close out their mission in Afghanistan and redeploy to Fort Hood, Texas they do so feeling proud of the work they did.
"I feel a shared sense of accomplishment with my Afghan counterparts," said First Lieutenant Morgan Conque, who served as an advisor to the medical team of the 203rd Corps. "From the Hospital Commander to the Corps Surgeon, their drive to improve evacuation operations and patient administration was inspirational and contributed to the great success we made as partners in this endeavor."
| Date Taken: |
08.05.2017 |
| Date Posted: |
08.21.2017 01:19 |
| Story ID: |
245399 |
| Location: |
GARDEZ, AF |
| Web Views: |
265 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Task Force Southeast PART 4 of 5 – Train, Advise, and Assist - A Team Effort in Task Force Southeast, by SSG Christopher Dennis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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