Omid: Hope for ANSF

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.23.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By U.S. Army Sgt. Derek Nelson

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Members of the Afghan National Security Force gathered at Forward Operating Base Thunder, Jan. 24, for a three-day planning conference known as Omid, the Arabic word for hope.

The Omid planning conference brings together members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan Border Police to plan for unified operations.

“Omid means hope,” said Afghan Brig. Gen. Muhammad Daood, the Operational Coordination Center-Regional commander. “This planning conference is all about giving hope to the people. Security for our schools, people and country are the key to that hope and the partnership of ANSF forces to plan and conduct operations is vital to that process.”

During the conference, the group examined their winter operations. The attendees reflected on their successes and looked for ways to improve and structured a plan for upcoming spring operations.

“We’re designing operations to counter what the enemy is likely to do and to build on our strengths,” said U.S. Army Col. Lawrence J. Kinde, security force adviser chief and Minneapolis, Minn., native. “We want to strengthen the institutions that will secure the Afghan people and enable development.”

The planning conference bridges inter-service gaps in the ANSF and helps to synchronize operations.

“We’re getting a lot more ANSF focused,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sean F. Malone of Hazleton, Pa., Forward Operating Base Lightning deputy chief of staff. “The army is working with the police and the National Directorate of Security at the provincial level. They’re bringing all of their tools together to work toward the same goal and helping people realize the government is a viable entity and that it is there to support them.”

Omid planners have seen significant improvement amongst the security forces since the conference’s inception in October.

“As time has gone by, these entities have gotten more used to working with each other,” said U.S. Army Maj. Richard D. Collage of Elizabeth, Pa., FOB Lightning G3/G5 plans officer. “They’re figuring out that they’re all after the same thing, and it doesn’t have to be a fight for resources, prestige or honor.”

The spring campaign seeks to legitimize the government and improve quality of life for the Afghan people.

“Our spring campaign is about showing the people that we’re here to support them, to make life better and show them that insurgent forces are not the answer,” said U.S. Army Maj. David Beaman of Elizabethtown, Ky., 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion operations officer.

“We want to show them that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is really working in their interest ... and that’s really what this whole operation is all about,” said Beaman.

• Date Taken: 01.23.2011
• Date Posted: 02.01.2011 08:32
• Story ID: 64590
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF