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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Force coalition and Afghan National Security Force leaders congregated in Lashkar Gah to cut the ribbon on a new Operational Coordination Center- Regional, or OCC-R, a new facility that will better serve Afghan forces in the region, Dec. 17.
Key persons at the ceremony included Marine Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of Regional Command Southwest, Maj. Gen. Sayed Malouk, commanding general of the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps, Maj. Gen. Ematullah Dawlatzai, regional chief of police and 707th Zone commander under which the new facility is located, and Mr. Daoud Ahmadi, the appointed spokesman for Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal.
“This location was chosen for its size and locality, as well as its proximity to other Afghan units,” said Col. Bradley Lowe, the OCC-R senior team leader for Regional Command Southwest and a Ponca, Neb., native.
Facilities like this one will serve as one of many headquarters hubs for Afghan forces including Afghan Border Police, Afghan Uniformed Police, Afghan National Civil Order Police, the Afghan National Army and the National Directorate of Security.
“The new OCC-R connects the provincial (operational coordination centers) and provides a (central location) for creating a common operating picture across the region that facilitates information sharing, coordination and synchronization of ANSF operating in the region,” said Marine Col. Mike Gann, the Afghan National Security Force development operations officer for Regional Command Southwest.
What this means for Afghan forces is that each service will now be able to convene at one central location to coordinate security throughout the greater Lashkar Gah region.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony signified a more permanent transition of control from NATO forces to the hands of Afghan forces.
“A 15-man team will act as mentors for the OCC-R,” said Gann. “They will oversee day-to-day operations and provide advice as required. Understanding that this is an Afghan process and organization, the mentoring team basically operates in an overwatch capacity, leaving the ANSF (representatives) to make decisions and solve problems.”
“The creation of the OCC-R provides the region a mechanism to coordinate and synchronize the operations and activities of the (Afghan National Security Forces) working in both Helmand and Nimroz provinces,” Gann added.
“This is another piece of the puzzle to put in place tools for the Afghans to coordinate their activities between the various services,” Lowe said.
| Date Taken: | 12.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2011 08:22 |
| Story ID: | 81600 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 660 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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