Afghan soldiers learn to fire artillery

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPERWAM GHAR, AFGHANISTAN

01.16.2010

Story by Pfc. David Hauk 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPERWAM GHAR, Afghanistan — For years, armies across the world have been using artillery to add considerable fire power for their forces. For the troops of the Combat Support Battalion, 2nd Kandak, the effective use of artillery is a relatively new concept.

To help the new Afghan national army recruits to understand the importance, Canadian troops have been giving the soldiers lessons with artillery.

"We are grateful that the Canadians are here to help," said ANA Pvt. Shirali Kamawall.

The training has taken place on a group of D-30 122 mm Howitzers the unit has stationed near Forward Operating Base Sperwam Ghar. It was difficult for the ANA at first, but they are now taking every lesson in stride, said Canadian Master Corporal Eric Levesque, a mentor from 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery stationed at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, in Manitoba.

"They are learning more and more every day," he said. "It was difficult at first with the language and cultural difference, but we have been able to move past it and now we work well together."

Since the classes started about four months ago, the ANA have fired artillery rounds four times, with the latest being Jan. 12.

Using luminescent rounds, the ANA lit up the sky over a village where troops had been during the day to see if there was any enemy movement after soldiers left the area.

"They did a great job. They took care of all the work and all I had to do was check it before they shot," said Master Warrant Office Allen Moggey, the lead mentor from 20th Field Regiment stationed in Edmonton, Alberta.

With the success of the latest mission, Levesque sees how far the ANA have come.

"I'm really impressed with them," said Levesque, a native of Sudbury, Ontario. "From the first time, when it took three hours to fire off one round, to Tuesday night, when they completed the mission with only minor difficulties. I can definitely see how much they have learned."

The problem the ANA artillery men are finding is their comrades in the field have not been using their help as often as they would like.

"Once they learn how to use their artillery effectively, the missions will go a lot smoother," said Moggey.

For now, the ANA artillery keep working hard and feel that with every successful mission, they become one step closer to taking care of their people and land.

The ANA look forward to the day when we can take care of our own country, said Kamawall.

The Afghan forces has appreciate everything the Canadians have done for them but feel it won't be long before they will be able to take over their own operations.

• Date Taken: 01.16.2010
• Date Posted: 01.16.2010 08:48
• Story ID: 43964
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPERWAM GHAR, AF