Combined Security Transition Command- February 2009

www.cstc-a.com Focus on NCOs1 q The Enduring Ledger Building sustainable capacity and capability

by MG Richard P. Formica component in the ANSF. Vol. 3, Issue 2 February 2009 CSTC-A Commanding We will do this in true Table of Contents General partnership with the ANA Our CSTC-A task is to and ANP—and with our Page 2: CG’s Message partner with the Ministry coalition partners. And of Defense and Ministry Page 3: CSM: The Year of the NCO as we do, we are ever of Interior to build Page 4: Q & A with Sergeant Major grateful for the service sustainable capacity and and contributions of the of the ANA Rashon Safi capability for the Afghan Page 5: ANA Bridmal Academy Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, National Security Forces— grows during The Year of the NCO Marines and Civilians the of CSTC-A—and we are Page 6: Provincial development and the Afghan National added to FDD program mindful of the sacrifices of Police. your Families at home. Page 7: Airmen train Afghan officers This year we plan to on command control Thanks so much for sustain the momentum MG Formica Page 8: National Military Academy of what you do and for being Afghanistan hosts 1st graduation in building the ANA— One: Ensuring who you are. Page 10: Around CSTC-A: the month building it to 134,000 disciplined execution of Hooah! Yak Team Wahed! in photos by December 2011. This three key systems: Page 12: National Military Hospital is accelerated by two •Personnel Management opens new blood bank years from the approved •Logistics Page 13: STX Challenges ANA program. •Financial Management officers during a week of scenarios We will simultaneously Two: Sustaining the Page 14: New Hued Kheyl Clinic add focus on the ANP. institutional training base opens doors to community Working closely with the in the Army and continuing Page 15: Warrior of the Month; Focus Minister of Interior, we on Log ETT to develop one for the will support his efforts police. to reform the ANP while Three: Emphasizing the Editorial Staff improving accountability. role of Non-Commissioned CSTC-A Commanding General: At some point we will Officers. If we are to truly Major General Richard P. Formica review the ANP program— build sustainable capacity Public Affairs director: and in coordination and capability, the ranks Lieutenant Colonel Christian Kubik with the Government of the ANSF must be filled Acting Public Affairs director: of the Islamic Republic with professional, qualified Commander Jeffrey Bender of Afghanistan and our and disciplined NCOs Public Affairs deputy director: coalition partners, will who provide the necessary Navy Lieutenant Kent Laborde determine if and by how first-line leadership and photo by Royal Army Sergeant Editor/layout/staff writers: Andy Cole much the ANP should grow backbone in Army units Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Mappin An NCO of the Afghan and over what time period. and police districts. Petty Officer 1st Class Cliff Williams National Police provides To build sustainable In the U.S. Army we security on Highway One, Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Baruwa capacity and capability in acknowledge that NCOs the route linking Helmand Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard the ANSF, we will focus on run our Army—so we look Province to Petty Officer 2nd Class Ed Vasquez three areas: to help develop this critical Air Force Staff Sergeant Sarah Stegman Petty Officer 3rd Class Tim Newborn The Enduring Ledger is a monthly publication of the Department of Defense and About the front cover: photo by Canadian Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A). This publication Army Master Corporal Robert Bottrill, is released monthly by the CSTC-A Public Affairs Office, Camp Eggers, , courtesy of The Crown, Canadian Department Afghanistan. In accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this DoD magazine is an of National Defence. An Afghan National authorized publication for members of the U.S. military overseas. Contents of The Army NCO conducts an outdoor class with Enduring Ledger are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by the U.S. ANA Soldiers at the Kabul Military Training government or DoD. Center (KMTC) facility. Mission statement: The Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan in About the back cover: A selection of photos conjunction with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), from around CSTC-A, the ANP and the ANA of NCOs as they train, mentor and go about the International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan (ISAF) and the international their daily jobs. This issue of the Enduring community, and nested with the US Forces - Afghanistan Commander’s intent, plans, Ledger celebrates NCOs and all that they do programs and implements the generation and development of the Afghan National for their parent organizations. Security Forces (ANSF) in order to enable GIRoA to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan.

2 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com The Year of the Non-Commisioned Officer by CSM Arthur L. Coleman Jr. CSTC-A Command Sergeant Major across the board where CSTC-A along with the ANSF have As we celebrate The U.S. Army’s made tremendous progress with the first-ever Afghan National Year of the Non-Commissioned Police Command Sergeant Major, the first Afghan National Officer, I would like to thank our Army Safety Sergeant Major, the opening of the first Afghan Afghan counterparts and celebrate Sergeants Major Academy and First Sergeants Course. These this historical and remarkable courses are important to the future of the ANSF and will help occasion. The Combined Security develop and prepare senior Non-Commissioned Officers to Transition Command - Afghanistan assume a position of greater responsibility. and the Afghan National Security As you can see, we’ve come a long way and we still have CSM Coleman Forces (ANSF) have several things a long way to go, but as a team we’re making steady progress in common. toward developing our Non-Commissioned Officers as well as The most common things that stand out are that both want our senior Non-Commissioned Officers. I would also like to peace, both want a professional military and both would agree thank all of our mentors. This would not be possible without that to obtain those qualities, you must have professionally their dedication and hard work, as well as their ability to developed Non-Commissioned Officers. We often say that teach, coach and mentor. I would like to welcome all of our the Non-Commissioned Officer is the “backbone of the newly arrived Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilian Army.” As we continue to fight a two-front war, that saying contractors to this wonderful command. still proves to be true. A professional military is one that is Last but not least, we have a wonderful tool for capturing educated, well trained, and well disciplined. The Afghan missed opportunities during training. It is known as the After Army, Afghan Air Corps and the Afghan Police are showing Action Review (AAR). I ask each of you to take every available tremendous progress every day in moving toward these goals. opportunity to attend an AAR training event. This will help As you read this month’s The Enduring Ledger, you can see improve, as well as enhance our ability to fight and win.

official U.S. military photo An Afghan National Police Non-Commissioned Officer pays close attention during a lecture. The ANP is more than 80,000 members strong with an authorized force of 82,000 to bring peace and security to Afghanistan. www.cstc-a.com 3 q The Enduring Ledger Q & A with Sergeant Major of the ANA Rashon Sergeant Major of the Afghan the ranks E-9 and E-8 and we at the small-unit level and National Army Rashon Safi is have the schools. The literacy will be narrowed down until the first man to hold that title program is going very well and each Corps submits a single within the ANA. NCOs are learning to write. applicant to a board that NCOs are now being certified will meet at the June Army Q: What NCO in their rank, as well. Seminar. characteristics are you trying We have progress in another I will be president of the to develop and enhance area as well. Right now I have board, and we will judge the through training? the J-1 personnel sergeant applicants on physical fitness, major and the J-3 operations knowledge of military history, A: Right now we are working sergeant major who are my weapons familiarity, first aid, on the NCOs’ development advisors when I have to military justice, leadership, in Afghanistan. A Non- make a decision. We have a risk management, uniform and Commissioned Officer should Sergeant Major of the ANA safety sergeant major for the overall appearance. lead by example, should be Rashon Safi Afghan National Army to honest to the constitution and will know what they are doing. work on safety, and we have Q: What does being an NCO country of Afghanistan, and For the next year we are a training sergeant major to mean to you? should obey a lawful order. We working on cycle discipline. concentrate on training. The are taking that and teaching it That is, we are working on Non-Commissioned Officers in A: Non-Commissioned at the NCO schools. These are how we can send soldiers into the ANA are doing great, and Officers lead by example the things that make a Non- the combat theater, and then they are joined at the hip with with their soldiers and their Commissioned Officer a good how we can pull them back to the officers of the ANA. families. There are three things leader. train them and to send them I would like to add that we they must follow: do, be and back. In the United States you are having our first soldier know. They must follow that, Q: What challenges do you have a fighting Army and a of the year competition. and lead their soldiers in see in the year ahead? training Army; we are working Applicants will be submitted accomplishing their mission. on that. A: We have challenges in the next year like new weapons Q: How much progress has and new vehicles, like the the ANA made since you HMMWV. Right now we became Sergeant Major? have the new HMMWV for What area would you like to the Afghan National Army see more progress in? and we have started training on both sides: tactically and A: If I were to explain in technically. detail it would take a month Last week I went to the or two—that’s how much 201st Corps. There were progress we’ve made. As 100 people training with for the progress of the Non- MPRI contractors. They Commissioned Officer, we train for eight weeks and go have the Bridmal Academy. back as soldiers. As for the We changed the name from M-16 training, that is going Non-Commissioned Officer to very well. When I had my Bridmal, which means “battle- Sergeant Major of the Army buddy.” We have schools for seminar we had training on the Team Leader Course, the the M-16 and new vehicles Squad Leader Course, and the like the HMMVW. That was Platoon Sergeant Course. a certification for the Brigade We have two other courses and the Corps Sergeant Majors. as well: the First Sergeant When they go back to course and the Sergeant Major their commands they hold course. One should be 22 the same seminars for the weeks, and the other 13 weeks. battalions, from the battalions That’s great progress and gives to the companies, from the us great hope because we had companies to the platoons and E-5, E-6 and E-7 ranks but photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Mappin Sergeant Major of the Afghan National Army Rashon Safi from the platoons to the squads they did not receive the highest speaks at the 4th ANA Sergeants Major Seminar at the Kabul and the lowest squad soldiers education, but now we have Military Training Center.

4 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com ANA Bridmal Academy continues to grow story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul The Bridmal Academy serves as a According to the Afghan National Army Dillard center of excellence for developing Training Command course catalog, CSTC-A Public Affairs successful leadership skills in the NCO the FSC provides Bridmal leadership Since March of last year, the number corps. “NCOs are the backbone of the training focused at the Company of Non-Commissioned Officer courses Army,” said Sergeant Major Sherzad and higher levels. The FSC prepares offered at the Afghan Bridmal Academy Hafizullah, the Afghan National Army qualified Senior Sergeants First Class continues to grow from its initial three Personnel Sergeant Major. “NCOs are (E-7) and Master Sergeants (E-8) to leadership courses. Bridmal, which the bridge between the officers and serve as Company First Sergeants and translated from Pashtu means “battle soldiers. NCOs are the implementers senior staff Bridmal in a variety of staff buddy,” is operated by Afghan NCOs of the plans. NCOs enforce everything and instructional positions. for NCOs, with the help of American which is handed down from the officers. The FSC will soon be joined by and British service members, as well as They lead the soldiers and NCOs and the comprehensive and far-reaching U.S. contractors provided by Combined are a truly important category for the Sergeants Major Course. This new Security Transition Command- army of any country, but especially for course begins in April and will be 22 Afghanistan. Afghanistan.” weeks long. The students will learn The growth of the Afghan Bridmal Originally, NCOs who attended advanced leadership principles, the Academy coincides with the Year of the Academy were divided into three organization and management of the the NCO for the U.S. military. “There different courses: Squad Leaders, ANA, the role of the Sergeant Major is a significant relationship between Platoon Sergeants and Senior NCOs. in the administration, supervision, and the NCOs of the Afghan and American Along with the three NCO leadership training of Soldiers and Bridmal. Armies,” said 201st Corps Sergeant courses, two specialized training “The morale of ANA is really high and Major Ziaullaq Amanzi. “For example: courses, Battle Staff and Drill Instructor, they are conducting very good missions in our Army we do our jobs, but beside were also taught. and they are doing their jobs very well,” us we have our mentors. They are Recently the Bridmal Academy began said Hafizullah. ” advising us. That’s why they are here. In offering a First Sergeant Course (FSC) the past, we didn’t have NCO positions as well. The course is 13 weeks long, Petty Officer 3rd Class Tim Newborn, in our Army. Now, we do have that significantly longer than any other CSTC-A PAO, contributed to this position, and it’s because of the support NCO leadership course offered at the report. and relationship that we have with the Academy, and is offered in conjunction U.S. military.” with the Senior Sergeant Course.

photo by Canadian Army Master Corporal Robert Bottrill, courtesy of The Crown, Canadian Department of National Defence An Afghan National Army NCO conducts an outdoor class with ANA Soldiers at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) facility. www.cstc-a.com 5 q The Enduring Ledger Provincial development added to FDD program Story and photos by Petty shown a 60 percent decrease Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard in local civilian casualties. CSTC-A Public Affairs DARTs and PARTs are KABUL, Afghanistan composed of members of the — With the progress Attorney General’s Office, of the Focused District Afghan National Police, ISAF Development (FDD) Regional Command, Afghan program, it is only natural Regional Security Integration new pilot programs will Command (ARSIC) and follow. The seventh District other agencies as required Assessment and Reform and appropriate. The eight Team (DART) is an example PARTs will be located in of FDD’s evolution. Recently the provinces of Kandahar, the FDD Program’s seventh Helmund, Zabul and Uruzgan DART class participated in a in the south, and Ghazni, small graduation ceremony. Paktika, Khost and Paktia in A week later the program’s the east. first Provincial Assessment The assessment teams and Reform Team (PART) implement phase one in the also graduated as the program six-phase FDD Program and expanded its focus to provide are responsible for assessing training to provincial police the districts and provinces in addition to district police. along with setting the “Training was a review conditions for the successful of the Afghan culture, the reform of their police and current status of the overall establishing the rule of Afghan police and how law. Once the assessments they’re doing in regards to are complete, the Afghan operations,” said Army Staff National Civil Order Police Sergeant Gerald Enriquez, (ANCOP) relieves the one of the PART graduates. District Police and assumes The FDD program began in control of the district to November 2007 and since the permit Afghan Uniformed program’s inception, districts Police members of the unit that have completed the to depart for retraining and program in all its phases have reorganizing at a regional Afghan National Police Colonel Mohammed Alizay participates in the graduation ceremony after completing PART training as U.S. Army Major Martin Plotner reads the names of the PART graduates. training center (RTC). The PART assessments Normally district police are began almost immediately reorganized, retrained, and after the teams graduated. reequipped in an eight-week Provincial assessments should training period, but the new be completed and the PCs FDD-Provincial program should be rotated to the RTCs will provide ANCOP-like by late February or early training to the eight provincial March. companies (PCs) being “I’m very excited about assessed by the PARTs. the assessment because the The PCs are engaging in a concept is very similar to fourteen-week training period what my job is back in the allowing them to supplement states,” stated Enriquez. “Now ANCOP in ANCOP-like I’m dealing with Afghans. The duties in the future, as thing I like most about the well as providing a core of challenge is that the Afghans experienced and versatile still have a lot of work to do Deputy Security Minister Lieutenant General Munir Mangal officers in the eight provinces and I like being a part of that congratulates Army Staff Sergeant Gerald Enriquez and gives him his graduation certificate after completing PART training. which need them the most. development process.”

6 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com photo by Air Force Staff Sergeant James L. Harper Jr. Afghan Army Air Corps members attend a graduation ceremony for the Afghan Command and Control Center Course in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Command and Control course, taught by U.S Air Force Airmen, is four weeks long and graduated 16 members. Afghan officers trained on command and control Story by Air Force Staff Sergeant from captain to brigadier general and Combined Air and Space Operations Zachary Wilson will form the initial cadre who will Center facility,” Milner said. U.S. Air Force Central Comand be charged with training the ANAAC Though the officers were very Combat News Team members who come after them, experienced, there were some challenges KABUL, Afghanistan — Sixteen senior according to Major David Milner, a that had to be met by Milner and the Afghan National Army Air Corps 438th AEG adviser who had a significant other Air Force advisory staff. (ANAAC) officers graduated recently role in training the group. “They were taught a lot of what from a four-week-long course on “Having an air corps control center they know through old Soviet-era command and control operations at the will give the air corps the capability to doctrine,” he said. “In order to make Kabul International Airport. control all Afghan airpower within the them effective, we had to show them Air Force advisers from the 438th country’s boundaries and eventually the Western perspective, and they really Air Expeditionary Wing and the 438th internationally,” said Milner, who is a learned from it.” Air Expeditionary Advisory Group C-17 Globemaster III pilot deployed By having a centralized location (AEG) taught the Afghan Command and from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. to control all of its air assets and a Control (ACCC) Center Course as the “What we have essentially designed here group of highly trained and skilled air country’s military continues to grow in is a small-scale version of a combined corps leadership, the government of both size and ability. air and space operations center. The Afghanistan will be able to effectively “These officers were formerly air Afghan Air Corps obviously has a way deploy airpower to its far expanses to defense and radar operators, and I was to go toward getting that capability, but support a variety of missions, whether initially concerned about whether or this is the first step.” that is troop movements, medical not they were going to keep moving The current ANAAC is almost evacuation or humanitarian relief. forward (as we transition to the ACCC exclusively mobility based and the “The ACCC is so important to mission with them),” said Maor General current ACCC reflects that mission. make the air corps the effective and Mohammed Darwan, the ANAAC Beginning in 2011, however, the role of powerful instrument it can be in the commander. the control center will expand to include future,” Brigadier General Walter D. “However, these officers are very combat operations capabilities. Givhan, the 438th Air Expeditionary experienced and talented, and we are “In the far future, I anticipate they Wing commander, told the graduates in pleased with their progress. We will grow should have all the components of English after addressing them in their this (function) just as we are growing the command and control needed to have native Dari language. “Let’s go forward air corps as a whole,” he said. the ability to create air tasking orders as together.” The Afghan officers range in rank is done in the U.S. Air Forces Central’s www.cstc-a.com 7 q The Enduring Ledger Mazullah, an Aviation officer with a degree in computer science, reviews his diploma after it was presented to him by President Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, in Kabul. National Military Academy-Afghanistan hosts 1st graduation ceremony Story and photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class McKiernan, International Security beginning of the Academy, the U.S. Tim Newborn Assistance Force commanding general, Military Academy has sent staff and CSTC-A Public Affairs all of whom spoke at the ceremony. faculty to NMAA and recently, the KABUL, Afghanistan — Five years President Karzai explained that United States Air Force Academy in ago, the Afghan Ministry of Defense today’s cadets are the heartbeat of the Colorado Springs, Colo., has also and the United States Military entire nation. contributed to this effort. Academy, West Point, N.Y., developed “I am very proud to be a part of this NMAA is an extensive four-year a concept plan for the National ceremony, which is a very important university-level institution. The Military Academy of Afghanistan and vital step toward a stable and Academy is often referred to as (NMAA) in an effort to produce more self-sufficient country,” said Karzai. the crown jewel of the ANA and is efficient, educated leaders within the “Today you all are graduating designed to educate, train and inspire Afghan National Army. The first class because of the hope of the mothers cadets so each graduate is a competent, consisting of 84 cadets graduated from who have lost their fathers, brothers courageous and honorable officer. NMAA Jan. 25. and husbands while defending this The concept plan also included a Among more than 1,500 spectators country.” dynamic ethnic distribution throughout was keynote speaker President Hamid Prepared under the authority of the corps of cadets and the staff and Karzai, president of the Islamic the Office of Military Cooperation- faculty to represent ethnicities from Republic of Afghanistan; Minister Afghanistan and the Afghan Ministry 33 of 34 provinces. And although the Abdul Rahim Wardak, Afghan minister of Defense, a NMAA Concept Plan first graduating class consisted of all of defense; General Bismullah Khan, was signed in November 2003 by males, NMAA officials assure female ANA chief of the general staff, representatives from Afghanistan, the integration is soon to come. and U.S. Army General David D. United States and Turkey. Since the Upon graduation, each cadet, or

8 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com officer in training, completes one of four majors: civil engineering, computer science, general engineering, sciences and legal studies. The cadet is then commissioned as a second lieutenant beginning a career with a 10-year service agreement. During that time, each officer serves in either Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Aviation, Logistics or Communication branches of the ANA. Leadership and management, military history and English majors are planned for future cadets. Minister Wardak reiterated the importance of today’s graduation by stating that the graduates of NMAA will be recognized all around the world. “The Afghan National Army has written and will continue to write golden pages in the history of this country by serving and dying for this country,” said Wardak. Along with intense academic A cadet shakes hands with President Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic activities, the physical education Republic of Afghanistan, during a graduation ceremony at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan. As the new second lieutenant shook hands he infrastructure is also a vital component shouted “zhewand” which translates from Dari as “life” part of Afghan military of cadet training. NMAA provides tradition. each cadet with physical education instruction that they use throughout student expenses with the Afghan care of. the four-year program in their new Ministry of Defense, who has pledged NMAA officials intend to expand weight-lifting room and athletic fields. to provide all funding in the future. their recruiting outreach to encourage The Combined Security Transition One graduate said this was the under-represented ethnicities to apply. Command-Afghanistan, responsible defining moment in his life and he The number of applicants is expected for training, equipping, advising will continue to pursue an even higher to increase from 360 applicants in and mentoring the Afghan National education and more difficult training 2009 to nearly 2,000 applicants in Security Forces, currently share to ensure his soldiers are well taken 2012.

President Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Two newly commissioned second lieutenants—`an Republic of Afghanistan, speaks to cadets and guests at artilleryman left and pilot right-- pose for a photo and to the first graduation at the National Military Academy of show their new promotion. Afghanistan in Kabul. www.cstc-a.com 9 q The Enduring Ledger Visit www.cstc-a.com for news updates

photo by Canadian Army Master Corporal Robert Bottrill, courtesy photo by Canadian Army Master Corporal Robert Bottrill, courtesy of The Crown, Canadian Department of National Defence of The Crown, Canadian Department of National Defence Afghan National Army soldiers keep themselves An Afghan National Army Soldier fires from cover at the physically fit while at the Kabul Military Training Center Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) facility. (KMTC) facility in Kabul.

photo by Specialist Luke S. Austin Two Afghan National Police officers receive instruction in combatives from Sergeant Aaron West, Police Mentor Team One, Regional Police Advisory Command-Kabul.

10 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Mappin Four servicemembers from Camp Eggers kneel down as they commemorate their fallen comrade Army Sergeant Carlo Robinson, who died from wounds after an vehicle- borne improvised device (VBIED) exploded outside the walls of Camp Eggers.

photo by Canadian Army Master Corporal Robert Bottrill, courtesy of The Crown, Canadian Department of National Defence photo by Canadian Army Master Corporal Robert Bottrill, courtesy Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) pilot, Major of The Crown, Canadian Department of National Defence Jangha Wordak, prepares to take an Mi-17 helicopter Maintainers of the Afghan National Army Air Corps for a training flight around the Kabul area at the Kabul (ANAAC) prepare an Mi-17 helicopter for flight at the International Airport. Kabul International Airport. www.cstc-a.com 11 q The Enduring Ledger National Military Hospital opens new blood bank Story and photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard CSTC-A Public Affairs KABUL, Afghanistan— A new blood bank opened its doors at the National Military Hospital after nearly a year’s worth of work by Afghan National Army medical personnel and service members from Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan’s Command Surgeons Office. Last year the hospital’s blood bank ANA recruits lay back in modern blood donor chairs as Captain Mohammed Aziz collected approximately 1,200 units affixes needles in their arm and ensures their comfort and health during the first of whole blood. With the opening blood drive at the new blood bank at the National Military Hospital. of the donor center at NMH, whole thing for us. I am happy to see such a advisor to the donor center. blood can now be processed into nice blood bank.” Nearly $1 million in equipment blood components such as packed red The NMH, a 400-bed facility, now was provided by CSTC-A’s Command blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and has the capability to increase its Surgeon’s Office, including platelets. The introduction of blood collections by at least 100 percent. refrigerators, centrifuges and blood- component therapy improves patient Eventually, the increased capacity donor chairs. Blood is now collected in care and increases the blood bank’s of the donor center will allow it to a clean, controlled environment where inventory allowing one donation to support both the NMH and other the staff ensures the production of safe help up to three patients. ANA regional hospitals, laying the blood products. “I’m so happy to give blood to other cornerstone for a future national Colonel (Dr.) Muhammad Salhik, soldiers,” stated Hagearat Hajaran, one system. who is in charge of the day-to-day of the ANA students who donated. “I “I’m confident that what you see operations at the blood bank, was am a soldier and would do more for is the most advanced blood bank in the first to donate blood, but only my country. We are here to help my Afghanistan,” said Navy Lieutenant after undergoing an examination. His people and country, and this is a little Jonathan Hoiles, CSTC-A medical colleague Colonel (Dr.) Abdul Khaliq performed the exam, which included detailed documentation and a blood sample for later testing. More than two dozen donors followed Colonel Salhik’s example, all were ANA students from nearby schools. Modern blood-donor chairs with blood mixers and scales provide capabilities for the clinic that are generally unavailable in Afghanistan. Cakes, energy drinks, bananas and figs were made available for the much needed nourishment of recent donors.

Colonel (Dr.) Abdul Khaliq meticulously notes patient information for the first blood drive at the new blood bank at the National Military Hospital. The patient turnout was twice what was expected as ANA recruits volunteered to donate their blood for their fellow soldiers at the new blood bank, the largest of its kind in Afghanistan.

12 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com Members of an Afghan National Army Engineering platoon react to a simulated ambush during training at Kabul Military Training Center. In the scenario, Polish and U.S. Army mentors “ambushed” the platoon as they headed out to the ranges for practical demolition exercises. The ambush was part of a week long Situational Training Exercise. STX challenges ANA officers during a week of scenarios Story and photo by G. A. Volb active umit. KMTC Mentor Group Public Affairs According to Geiselman, this group of soldiers are CAMP ALAMO, Afghanistan – Three inches of thick mud, just the second to complete the STX before moving on. the remnants of a Russian occupation, and snow-covered Additionally the entire exercise was run by the ANA mountains served as the backdrop for an Afghan National instructors. Army Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC) Situational It’s a great leap forward, emphasized the lieutenant, as Training Exercise (STX) here. American mentors ran the show during the first go around. The STX, a culmination of everything the ANA soldiers “They’ve exceeded my expectations this weekend. The learned during their six-week course, brought nine training has been very effective and they’ve completed specialties together to perform as an operational kandak, every mission assigned to them.” each specialty participating in test scenarios applicable to Hodge added that the school is still growing and is their particular mission. looking to gain instructors and equipment. “The students were placed in a field environment and “They work well with what they have,” he said. “But with given practical situations to test what they’ve learned,” said recent additions to their tashkil (resource authorization), BOTC Senior Mentor Major Monty Hodge. “And I’d say they are hoping to become fully staffed and resourced.” they performed very well.” Hodge said that while the exercises are somewhat based The exercise also tested their ability to work together as on U.S. doctrine, one difference is that U.S. BOTC training a team. elements are independent, whereas they are all combined “They spent the first five weeks working independently,” here. said 1st Lieutenant Joe Geiselman. “And then they came Following a final day of live fire drills, the students together and operated as an operational kandak. Logistics officially graduate, receive their assignments and head out provided the beans and the bullets, transportation ran the to their units. convoys, indirect fire sections provided fire support and so Both Hodge and Geiselman belong to the mentor group on.” here which assumed its duties from the previous Training It’s also the first time lieutenants in the course experience Assistance Group in December. the taste of being a leader before they’re assigned to an www.cstc-a.com 13 q The Enduring Ledger CSTC-A Readers: Photos from the field Hued Kheyl Clinic opens doors to community Story and photos by Sgt. James D. Sims CJTF Phoenix Public Affairs In December the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health and Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-Kabul Civil Affairs Task Force Phoenix opened the Hued Kheyl Health Clinic. The Hued Kheyl Health Clinic was built in cooperation with the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health and TF Phoenix in 2008 to improve the quality of healthcare in the village of Hued Kheyl, Kabul, Afghanistan. It was funded with money from the Commander’s Emergency Response Hued Kheyl local elders and members of the Ministry of Public Health with Lieu- Program (CERP) and is a symbol of tenant Colonel David C. Dunkle, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at the ribbon- friendship and cooperation between the cutting ceremony for the Hued Kheyl Health Clinic Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the of Chicago, Ill., ARSIC-K civil affairs provided by the Camp Phoenix Troop United States of America. officer, is in charge of following up Medical Clinic. ARSIC-Kabul Civil Affairs of the with the clinic and ensuring that it Prenatal care provided by the clinic 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is functioning and making sure the is intended to help decrease the infant (IBCT), New York Army National Guard villagers are getting the care they need. mortality rate in the village. has been working on this project for “Our primary mission on these “It is not only our job to provide proper nearly one year. projects is to create independence as healthcare to the people, but also teach Now that the 27th IBCT has well as stability in the region,” said them what is making them sick or diseased completed their mission in Afghanistan, Dieball. and how to prevent it. The village elders the responsibility for following up with The clinic will provide care for have told me they want electricity and the clinic is now in the hands of the 33rd approximately 64,000 locals in the Hued clean water among other things,” said IBCT, Illinois Army National Guard. Kheyl village, and it will also greatly Dieball, of his meeting with the elders First Lieutenant Christopher Dieball, reduce the dependence on health care after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Village elders at the Hued Kheyl Health Clinic in Hued Kheyl, which was built in cooperation with the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health and Task Force Phoenix, meet with First Lieutenant Christopher Dieball, civil affairs officer, Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-Kabul. The clinic will provide the community of 64,000 with health care independant of coalition facilities.

14 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com February Warrior of the Month

Battalion HQ in move, shoot, communicate strategies, as well as maintain vehicles Best part of the deployment: Working with the Afghan locals and Coalition Forces (German Police) Deployment Goals: Physical conditioning and promotion Life after deployment: Pursue degree in marketing and advertising, hopefully in North Carolina Favorite quote: “I am that guy” What are your hobbies? Video games and putting legos together, playing Guitar Hero with my teammates What do you miss most back home? Mom’s and Dad’s home cooking, especially the BBQ What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment since joining the military? Getting my surface warfare pin as an E-2

photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard Supervisor says: Petty Officer Thompson is a very dedicated Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Thompson Sailor and puts forth his absolute best effort. His respect for authority is outstanding and he is always eager to learn new Home station: Naval Station Norfolk, Va. skill sets. His dedication to the 125 men of the ANP Trans BN Hometown: Davidson, N.C. was evident by the battalion’s sustained combat operations. He What is your past deployment experience? I served on one was instrumental in conducting preventive maintenance checks Persian gulf cruise on USS Ponce, and I served on three Asia and servicing instructional classes to 28 Afghan National cruises on USS Kitty Hawk Police (ANP), and winter driving techniques and procedures. What is your job at your home duty station? Ship Laundry/ His efforts resulted in zero accidents reported on some of the Barber most dangerous roads in Afghanistan, traveling over 750 miles Job title and unit: Logistics Embedded Training/CJ4 of enemy-infested provinces. What is your job here? Transportation Battalion Mentor Supervisor name and duty title: Master Sergeant Rod What part do you play in the CSTC-A mission? Train ANP VanLeuven, Senior Mentor Transportation Battalion Focus on: Logistics Embedded Training Team Log ETT Mission: provide mentorship and training to the plan for the future growth of the program. The 2009 tashkil 140 authorized Afghanistan National Police Transportation will ensure that the battalion has 90 percent of its projected Battalion (Trans BN) officers. Log ETT serves as the equipment needs met. The battalion is also working on new liaison between the Ministry of Interior Technical Center, faculties and a school to help the ANP continue to grow in Intermediate Logistics Facility and Trans BN. They help plan this vital area. the development of operational, technical and administrative training for the ANP Trans BN. Commanding Officer: Air Force Colonel Cody Smith ANP Trans BN Mission: provide line and local convoy support to the ANP to maintain the supply line between the National Logistics Center in Kabul and the five Regional Logistics Centers located throughout the rest of the country. The battalion, when 100 percent equipped, is capable of hauling over 500 tons of supplies while handling its own maintenance and security for convoy movements. Commanding Officer: ANP Colonel Mohammed Sami Milestones: Log ETT has helped Trans BN triple their capabilities in the last six months. Six months ago, the ANP Trans BN was limited to controlling local traffic and escorting missions within a 100-KM radius of the capital. Trans BN now runs long haul missions to provinces like Herat, and has been loaned up-armored HMMWVs from the ANA in an example of inter-service co-operation. Future Developments: The rapid development and success photo by Air Force Staff Sergeant Justin Koontz of the ANP Transportation Battalion has brought challenges Technical Sergeant Shawn Cain and interpreter Najib teach to the Logistics Embedded Training Team (ETT) as they air brake maintenance and draining of air tanks to ANP Transportation Battalion. www.cstc-a.com 15 q The Enduring Ledger 16 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com