Subscribe
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Sayed Malouk, 215th Corps commanding general, met with Afghan journalists as a part of the Afghan Media Tour at Camp Shora Bak, Afghanistan Nov. 23.
Malouk discussed a wide variety of topics with the press including improvised explosive device incidents, soldiers’ leave schedules, security, and current equipment.
The ANA general began the conference by fielding questions on the number of IED related incidents in the 215th Corps’ area of operations. Malouk said the amount of modern equipment used to find IED's is steadily increasing, along with the frequency of counter-IED training ANA soldiers will have to complete.
“You are aware that our army is improving day-by-day and constantly receiving up-to-date gear we did not have up until now,” Malouk said. “The plan for the future is to have one engineer company that will handle IED operations assigned to each brigade. The engineers will be trained at the Mazar-e-Sharif special engineering training course, where they will receive new equipment and return to their home units.”
Malouk also commented on the amount of leave ANA soldiers are able to take. Due to initial difficulties on finding transportation for large groups of home-bound soldiers, many ANA soldiers have experienced delays during the leave process in the past. Recent improvements in troop transportation have alleviated this issue.
“We have now chartered civilian air transportation for soldiers headed home on leave,” Malouk said. “We are able to move over one-hundred passengers, 3 times a week to their destinations. If necessary, we can coordinate with the company to arrange more flights.”
Malouk spoke about the current status of equipment and weapons used by ANA soldiers, acknowledging that his troops are completing their missions even with out-of-date gear.
“Unfortunately, much of our equipment is not as modern as the gear that the U.S. and coalition forces have,” Malouk said. “For instance, we are armed with light weapons and World War II era mine detectors. Although we have no air force, the coalition forces are supporting us in that aspect.”
The ANA general also dispelled rumors stating that the 215th Corps is only a corps in name and not actually equipped to complete the operations a unit its size should be able to handle.
“I definitely cannot agree with this rumor,” Malouk said. “We are fully manned and fully equipped with the exception of two artillery battalions. The soldiers that will fill these battalions are currently involved in training. It is necessary to have educated, highly trained soldiers working with artillery, so it will take more time to push them out. As of now, the 215th Corps is still very capable and always ready to accomplish any missions.”
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2010 23:15 |
| Story ID: | 60773 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, ANA general briefs press during Afghan Media Tour, by Cpl Brian Gabriel Jr., identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
