BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces leaders in Regional Command-East briefed coalition and local Afghan government leaders on their strategy for the upcoming months Dec. 5.
The conference, held at Bagram Air Field’s Dragon Dining Facility, gave the leaders from the various branches a chance to coordinate their strategies and prepare for the upcoming spring campaigns.
“We’ve got to continue [our work] and not give the enemy a chance to rest,” said Lt. Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi, Afghan military chief of staff.
The continuation of that work at the conference involved leaders from the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan Border Police sharing plans on everything from offensive strategies against insurgents to division of personnel among the various provinces.
“We’re looking to the future,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, Combined Joint Task Force-101 and RC-East commander. “We’re really showing how we’re integrated.”
Provincial governors also attended the event, which provided them a chance to comment on the plans and express their concerns.
“It is very good that everyone knows their responsibilities to bring about security in the provinces and at the district level as well,” said Abdul Jabbar Naeemi, Khowst province governor.
One issue that concerned the governors was the need to develop government at the local level as a means of keeping the insurgents from returning to an area, and a concern that Campbell addressed.
“We really do believe the way forward is to work at the local level,” he said.
“This event is important so that all of the military leadership and all of the civilian leadership work together better and better and continues to provide security and development to the Afghan people,” said Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and deputy command of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.