Courtesy Photo | This is a common view of a busy day in Kabul where Security Force Assistance Team 1,...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Driving 10,000 miles is an accomplishment all in itself, but being able to drive that many miles on narrow congested roads, dodging vehicles bearing hazardous loads, sharing the road with inexperienced dangerous drivers and looking out for careless pedestrians sounds almost impossible.
The “Mustang” soldiers with Security Force Assistance Team 1, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, have reached the 10,000 mile mark on all seven of their vehicles Jan. 1.
“Driving in Afghanistan is like driving in the Indy 500 with people who have never driven before,” said Spc. Mitchell Burch, a team leader.
“I never expected that I would need to dodge so many pedestrians,” said Spc. Patrick Taggart, a driver. “A 50,000 pound vehicle moving at 35 kilometers per hour just doesn’t seem to get their attention.”
Though a few side mirrors have been lost since the SFAT 1 began driving in June 2011, there have not been any accidents or injuries to themselves or civilians.
The “Mustangs” advise the 2nd Brigade of the Afghan National Civil Order Police and must make regular trips to all their elements in Panjawei, Dand, Maiwad, Zharey and Kandahar City.
A frequent member who travels with SFAT 1 is 2nd BDE ANCOP Commander Brig. Gen. Gulhom Mohaidin. Visiting all the ANCOP elements is critical to Mohaidin and his staff because it gives them a better picture of what is happening on ground and what type of support units need.
“Their communications systems have improved dramatically, but bringing commanders together aides overall coordination of efforts,” said Lt. Col. Ben Eiser, the SFAT 1 commander.
In addition to helping ANCOP commanders visit their troops, the “Mustangs” partnered in a logistics convoy from Kandahar to Kabul.
“This movement required the coordination efforts at all levels and involved a partnership at the soldier level that [we don’t] usually experience as a mentorship team,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Platt, a non-commissioned officer with SFAT 1.
Logistics planning for the trip to Kabul proved challenging as well. "Mustangs" crossed through many battlespaces and had to plan communications, fuel stops and medical/recovery assets in the event they were needed. Polish and Czechoslovakian units owned some of areas the “Mustangs” traveled through, which added language barriers to the mix.
“This movement was especially demanding for [us] because the trip up to Kabul took roughly 18 hours with one overnight stay en route, and the movement back took about 12 hours,” said Spc. Jake Davis, a soldier with SFAT 1.
“Mustang” soldiers partnered with the ANCOP throughout the entire mission, from the pre-combat inspections and rehearsals to the actual accomplishment of the mission, and then to the end, when they did an after-action review.
With the first 10,000 miles driven, SFAT 1 isn’t looking back, but to the future.
“I’m proud of our team,” Eiser said, opening a non-alcoholic beer, “here’s to the next 10,000 miles driven safely.”
| Date Taken: | 01.01.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2012 07:42 |
| Story ID: | 82099 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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