Afghan Forces Prepare to Take Over COIN

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

08.14.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ernesto Hernandez Fonte 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - ISAF is increasing investment in its counterinsurgency strategy as the July 2011 withdrawal date approaches. Part of that strategy is to pass on COIN lessons to Afghan National Security Forces.

COIN concepts did not come to coalition forces automatically neither do they come automatically to Afghan forces. Mobile COIN training teams that typically taught coalition forces are now fulfilling that role by passing on those lessons to Afghan forces.

On Aug. 10, Regional Training Center – Kandahar held a pilot counter insurgency class to a team of Afghan Uniformed Policemen. Endorsed by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, a mobile COIN training team taught Afghan-tailored counterinsurgency concepts to the class of AUP representatives from more than 30 districts and substations.

The first of its kind in southeastern Afghanistan, the class reviewed the dynamics that have shaped Afghan society, from pre-Soviet invasion to the COIN environment it is today. Instructors and students discussed kinetic action, traditional capture or kill versus “courageous restraint.” Instructors admitted that coalition forces made mistakes in the past, however those mistakes have turned into lessons-learned and even a guide -- Field Manual 3-24 Counterinsurgency.

“It’s being smart about your actions and the consequences of those actions,” said Australian Army Capt. Colin Sharp to the class. Sharp is a COIN training team region chief and instructor. “On the checkpoint for which you are responsible, your decisions will determine whether you create an insurgency or counterinsurgency,”

With a Dari and a Pashtu translator, the goal was to get a clear message across, even if everything was repeated three times. To help get the ideas across, instructors had the policemen act out different scenarios. Some scenarios resulted in insurgency and others counterinsurgency. Students played a variety roles such as Taliban, foreign fighters, ANSF, aid organizations, Coalition forces, national government, unemployed youth, farmers, refugees and several others.

One scenario portrayed a boy opening fire with an AK-47 on a convoy from a poppy field. In the scenario, the boy is more than likely just trying to protect the field and is at most a passive supporter of the Taliban. While rules of engagement allow forces to fire back at the boy, they must also remember he is a son, a grandson and a nephew. Killing one individual passive supporter in this scenario would have created several hard line members of the Taliban.

“Each of you has to make your own decisions on the field, but you have to think of the consequences. Look at the scenario of the child in the poppy field shooting at you. I would never tell anyone not to defend themselves. But sometimes if you are trying to win the population, it’s better to just drive away,” said Steven Chapman, COIN instructor. Driving the point home, he exclaimed, “It does not mean you are a coward. It just means you understand the bigger picture!”

The mission is not to attack the population, but rather to help them turn away from the Taliban through aid and alternatives that will result in a more prosperous Afghanistan. Ultimately, the hope is to sway the population towards supporting the legitimacy of the government with ANSF supported by the people protecting the people. This can only be achieved by Afghans themselves through COIN.

“All of you here are the face of the government, the face of Afghanistan,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Neilray Frachiseur, COIN instructor. “You are out in front and it shows the population that their government is doing something for them. If you are out on the street showing presence you will deter violence and show the legitimacy of your government.”

The policemen are expected to take the lessons learned in class back to their substations and pass them on to their comrades. But, the only guarantee is that Afghans will have to continue the COIN battle as the deadline for withdrawal approaches.

• Date Taken: 08.14.2010
• Date Posted: 08.14.2010 15:03
• Story ID: 54591
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF