The 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Graduates its First Afghan National Security Force Drivers Academy

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

01.30.2011

Courtesy Story

129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Eight members of the Afghan National Army were recognized as the first graduating class of trainees from the Afghan National Security Forces Driver’s Academy at a ceremony held Sunday morning on Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan.

The eight Afghan National Army Soldiers earned certificates and praise from their U.S. Army instructors, as well as, from the commander of the 240th Quartermaster Supply Company, Cpt. Cheryl Foston and the Afghan National Army’s 6th Forward Supply Depot, 215th Maiwand Corps Commander, Col. Jalaludin.

The academy is a partnership between the Army’s 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and the Afghan National Army, and focuses on teaching the basics of tractor-trailer and material handling equipment operation. The first class started in September and the program focused on training Afghan soldiers to be instructors for the program.

Those instructors were the primary trainers for this first graduating class, while soldiers from the 240th Quartermaster Supply Company provided oversight and mentorship to the instructors and the trainees. The academy is designed to not only increase the logistics capabilities of the Afghan National Security Force, but also place Afghans into training roles in order to exponentially grow their force.

“The 240th is blessed with the opportunity to train Afghan forces” said Cpt. Foston the commander of the soldiers providing that supervision and mentorship. “It is a challenge for both U.S. soldiers and Afghan ones alike, but it is one that both groups will remember for the rest of their lives. Training such as this helps to build a relationship with local Afghan forces. These eight weeks of training are an invaluable part of U.S. and other coalition forces’ goals. In essence our relationship shows the world we value having strong Afghan allies.”

Two soldiers from the 240th Quartermaster Supply Company assisted the trainers in conducting training for the program that is still in its infancy. Sgt. Daniel Nabal and Spc. Allen Kennemore demonstrated their technical proficiency by assisting in instructing the Afghan National Army soldiers on everything from hand and arm signals to proper maintenance of equipment, as well as, instructing basic and advanced handling of 4K forklifts, 10K forklifts, and M915 tractor-trailers

First Sgt. Christopher Armstrong, the 240th Quartermaster Supply Company’s first sergeant and senior trainer for the company said, “I believe that Sgt. Nabal and Spc. Kennemore’s actions go to the very essence of the Noncommissioned Officer Creed for NCOs which is serving as the backbone for the Army. These two young soldiers were instrumental in building the backbone of our Afghan Partners’ Army. You can see the sense of accomplishment and pride in the Afghan soldiers who graduated from the partnership driver’s academy. Now these Afghan soldiers can keep accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of their soldiers uppermost in their mind, thanks to the lessons taught by two of the company’s finest warriors.”

The 240th Quartermaster Supply Company is currently also providing mentorship training at the Lashkar Gah Provincial Warehouse on how to properly maintain accountability of supplies for the local police. Additionally, the company is working with the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to establish a maintenance training partnership with the 6th Forward Supply Depot at Camp Shorabak.

The 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is the primary U.S. Army logistical unit in Regional Command-Southwest and is made up of five subordinate companies from the regular Army and Army Reserve, currently providing transportation, maintenance, and supply support throughout Helmand province.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2011
• Date Posted: 03.03.2011 05:56
• Story ID: 66378
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF