A cooperative effort allows Afghan National Army to take the lead securing roadways for civilian populace

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WILSON, AFGHANISTAN

12.07.2009

Story by Pvt. Luke Rollins 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WILSON, Afghanistan — Every morning, Canadian soldiers from the 1st Kandak Mentorship Team Alpha patrol along the Kandahar province's Highway 1, stopping along the way at vehicle checkpoints established by the ANA. These checkpoints, scattered along the major road leading directly into Kandahar City, help ensure the safe passage of not only the ISAF and ANSF, but the thousands of Afghan commuters driving along the road daily.

With such an important and high-profile mission, ANA soldiers often engage in enemy contact. Their Canadian mentors from the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team are right beside them, facing the same dangers and working toward the same goal - the peace and security of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The guidance of ANA soldiers and the performance of ANA-led combined missions are the first and foundational step toward maintaining Afghanistan's hard-won security. Members of the OMLT work to conduct successful operations today so the ANA will be self-sufficient tomorrow.

"Working with the ANA, it's important that we show their presence [in the Zhari District] because our end-state here is to have the ANA take over for the whole country," said Capt. Jeremy Brooks, company mentor and KMT Alpha commander.

"It lets the population see that the ANA has security of those places, and it lets the insurgents know as well that the ANA have freedom to maneuver throughout [the Zhari district]," he said.

To achieve the desired end-state, mentorship teams spend the downtime between missions coaching Afghan soldiers on a variety of soldiering skills.

"The ANA has been stood up from virtually nothing," said Master Cpl. Tom Millar, an operational mentor with KMT Charlie.

"It's important that once the [ANA] units are force-generated and sent out into the field, that they're coupled with an [OMLT] so that we can mentor them through the planning phase of operations and ultimately the execution," said Millar, an Edmonton, Alberta, native.

However, Millar said the ANA's wealth of knowledge and tactical proficiency caught him off guard.

"Coming into it as an operational mentor you feel sometimes that the [ANA] needs more direction than is really required. Definite lesson learned - they're highly proficient in certain areas, and it's a pleasant surprise to see them operate," he said.

Millar singled out the 1st Kandak 1st Sgt. Mohammad Reza as the most pleasant surprise and sees Reza and soldiers like him as the cornerstone of the ANA's future.

"He's continually impressed myself and other mentors within the OMLT in his ability to lead his men and conduct operations. [Reza] is a competent tactical leader out in the field. He demonstrates a level of competence far in excess of his peers," said Millar.

For his part, Reza said he has learned much from his Canadian mentors, and their skills and knowledge were beneficial not only in training but also in combat.

"I'm so pleased, because we're training together, and working together...I wish, in the future, that we will see the victory of the ANA and Coalition forces, that we will work together to provide peace and stability [for the future of Afghanistan]."

• Date Taken: 12.07.2009
• Date Posted: 12.08.2009 03:57
• Story ID: 42437
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE WILSON, AF