Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan April 2009

www.cstc-a.com 1 q The Enduring Ledger Incoming Brigades expand embedded trainer capabilities

and ANP by MG Richard P. Formica Vol. 3, Issue 4 April 2009 We already knew that the 48th CSTC-A Commanding General Infantry Brigade Combat Team Table of Contents from Georgia would succeed Page 2: CG’s Message Our task in the Combined the 33rd BCT from Illinois in Page 3: CSM’s Message Security Transition Command- August as Task Force Phoenix Page 5: Up Close with General Bismullah Afghanistan is to build IX. The 4,000 new trainers Mohammadi sustainable capacity and will come to us mostly in the Page 6: CSTC-A Two-Brigade Concept capability in the Afghan form of a second BCT: the 4th Page 7: Afghan Training; ETTs and OMLTs Page 8: Counterinsurgency Guidance National Security Forces IBCT from the 82nd Airborne Page 11: Building Relationships with the (ANSF) – both in the Afghan Division of Fort Bragg, North ANSF National Army (ANA) and the Carolina. 4-82nd IBCT will join Page 12: ANSF in Action Afghan National Police (ANP). the 48th IBCT in September. Page 14: Focus on: 278th Signal Company Page 15: Capital Jumpstart: Training ANP We do this through CSTC-A’s With their arrival, we will Page 16: EUPOL Update incredible organizational energy, transition to a two-BCT concept Page 17: APPF Graduation our partnership with many for the provision of CSTC-A’s MG Formica Page 18: Capability Milestones coalition allies, governmental embedded trainers. Page 19: Command & Staff College particularly in the East Page 20: PMTs, VTTs and non-governmental This will be part of a new and South, under General Page 21: ANA Women Soldiers learn CLS stakeholders, and with our approach to how we generate McKiernan’s concept, will Page 22: Warrior of the Month significant resources. and develop the ANSF. These assume new responsibilities to Page 23: ANAAC MedEvac But it is our embedded additional forces will help us provide embedded trainers for Editorial Staff trainers/mentors who have the gradually replace the nearly and partner with ANA units, CSTC-A Commanding General most profound impact on our 1500 trainers in embedded ANP districts and ABP (Afghan Major General Richard P. Formica mission. These mentors build training teams from Fort Riley, Border Police) Kandaks. Command Sergeant Major critical trust with our Afghan Kansas, and return them to Our two-BCT concept, Command Sergeant Major Arthur partners at the Ministries and the Army to fill other pressing combined with the provision L. Coleman Jr. General Staff and down to the assignments. of more coalition OMLTs Public Affairs Director Kandak level in the ANA and In addition, the Afghan and POMLTs, and Special Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kubik to Police districts in the ANP. Regional Security Integration Operations Forces’ mentoring of Public Affairs Deputy Director These Embedded Training Commands (ARSICs) as we and partnering with select units, Navy Lieutenant Kent Laborde Teams (ETTs) and Police know them will go away. Many should substantially improve our NCOIC Mentor Teams (PMTs) –along of the duties they perform will approach to training. This will Petty Officer 1st Class Cliff Williams with Coalition Operational now be accomplished by the two result in increased numbers and Layout and Design Mentor Liaison Teams (OMLTs) BCT headquarters and through more capable ANA and ANP Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard and Police Operational Mentor their subordinate battalion task formations throughout the battle Graphics Liaison Teams (POMLTs) – are forces. space. Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Vasquez the heartbeat of our mentorship To implement this concept, All of these new and powerful Contributors program. we’ll consolidate the 48th IBCT concepts and assets should Staff Sergeant Sarah Stegman It’s no secret that we’ve in the North, Central and East; enable us to mentor/train all of About the front cover: Photo by Stewart been under-resourced in this 4-82nd IBCT will provide the our fielded ANA units and about Nusbaumer. Soldiers from the Afghan critical capability for years. Our trainers in the South and West. half of the ANP districts by the National Army’s 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, predecessors had to spread ANA They’ll establish their mentor end of the year. 201st Corps, receive instruction on their trainers across the Army and relationships with ANA units At the heart of all this change new M-16s from Afghan instructors and the Police – leaving shortages and police districts and with are the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines from ETT 2-7 as part of an initiative of embedded trainers in both the regional commanders in Airmen, Marines and Civilians to equip the ANA with NATO weapons. forces. whose battle space they provide in our ETTs and PMTs. These Marine in foreground is Sergeant Uselton Recently, however, we trainers. and in background is Gunnery Sergeant teams work together to train Both BCTs will be provided Mario Garza. received welcome news. As a and resource ANA, ANP and About the back cover: Photo by Petty result of his strategic review, two additional Colonels and ABP units, building sustainable Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard. Officers President Obama announced Command Sergeants Major / capacity and capability. from Police District 1 and PMT members the decision to deploy 4,000 Sergeants Major to serve as They “listen to the mountains” from RPAC-K on the busy streets of Kabul. additional trainers to our directors for ANA and ANP in order to establish close, The Enduring Ledger is a monthly mission in Afghanistan. development. These key meaningful relationships with publication of the Department of Defense and This announcement: leaders will provide the vertical their Afghan partners. Our ETTs Combined Security Transition Command- • reflects a significant and integration of all mentors in their Afghanistan (CSTC-A). This publication is and PMTs risk their lives every released monthly by the CSTC-A Public Affairs demonstrable commitment to respective BCTs. They also will day. Office, Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. In the development of the ANSF provide senior-level interaction It is to these ETTs and PMTs accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this • reaffirms the US with our Afghan partners and that we remain indebted for their DoD magazine is an authorized publication for Government’s commitment to with International Security members of the U.S. military overseas. Contents service and sacrifice. of The Enduring Ledger are not necessarily growth and reform in the ANSF Assistance Force (ISAF) the official view of, or endorsed by the U.S. • opened the door for future Regional Commanders. Yak Team Wahed! government or DoD. growth of the both the ANA Battle space owners –

2 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com ANP continue to make great strides by CSM Arthur L. Coleman Jr. But my emphasis is down at the individual police as well as CSTC-A Command Sergeant Major at the teams and districts. As I visited one location a couple I would like to say of weeks ago, I saw that one remarkable change has been in “welcome” to all of our new the area of weapons marksmanship training. This is one clear arrivals: Army, Navy, Air sign of reform. Force, Marines, and Civilians. As we move forward, the police senior enlisted Congratulations to all of you leadership— the Chief NCO of the Afghan National Police, for your selection to this Karim Khan— has taken a personal interest in current command. What an exciting operations as well as focusing on the fight. He has placed time to be assigned to CSTC-A. special emphasis on accountability of not only weapons, but With the focus of war efforts also on other key and essential equipment. This is another clearly shifting towards our clear example of growth not only in the NCO Corps of the mission here, you’re truly in the police, but also across the board. I ask that all of our mentors right place at the right time to continue to lean forward and put emphasis on teaching and CSM Coleman make a difference. coaching, especially in mentoring your counterparts. First I would like to recognize the mentors for the Afghan Another area is managing risk. At each level, there are National Police. What an awesome year of building the certain risks that are acceptable; however, always conduct a Afghan Police, as well as the Afghan Border Patrol. The risk assessment to make sure that the mission fits the risk. Afghan Police in some cases are unsung heroes. On a Last but not least, this is a complex organization, and as day-to-day basis they are becoming more and more the we continue to build the Afghan National Security Forces, cornerstone of the Afghan National Security Forces—making it is important that we continue to build true partnerships improvements in accountability, conducting voter registration with our Afghan counterparts. I ask you to continue to seek operations, and at the same time conducting police reform. opportunities to reinforce Afghan lead roles.

photo by Sgt. Jessica R. Dahlberg An Afghan National Police officer checks a vehicle’s undercarriage during a vehicle-search class at the Parwan province’s police headquarters in the Charikar district. www.cstc-a.com 3 q The Enduring Ledger

Up close with General Bismullah Mohammadi

General Bismullah Mohammadi This is good for the people of was in the 12th grade when the Afghanistan. We are trying our best to Russians invaded Afghanistan. He build upon the relationship between the joined the Mujahadin soon after, Afghan people and the Afghan National serving in diverse capacities until Army, so that they will continue to see the collapse of the Communist it as good. regime. Right now, we have good equipment He commanded a unit at Bagram and good weapons. We have right and later served as a leading around 30,000 M4s and M-16s, about commander of the Northern Alliance 2,000 up-armored HMMWVs, and against the Taliban. General we have received some helicopters Bismullah Mohammadi served as and some airplanes. Even though the Deputy Defense Minister in the Afghan National Army is lacking some Government of the Islamic Republic equipment, we still have had a lot of of Afghanistan until four years ago, successes with NATO and ISAF forces. when he became Chief of General We have been operating General Bismullah Mohammadi independently for the last two years Staff for the Afghan National Army ANA Chief of General Staff (ANA). and almost 60 percent of our operations all of the people of Afghanistan. In this capacity, he serves as the have been independent. We want the commander of the Armed Forces of Afghan National Army to take the Afghanistan, with the responsibility On progress in the ANA: lead, and NATO and ISAF forces to to train, equip and exercise The creation of the Afghan support the Afghan National Army. command and control of the ANA. National Army is a great success He is an only son with three sisters. story for the people of Afghanistan. On international community He has two sons and four daughters, Six years ago, we set up the first support and election security: all of whom live in Kabul. Afghan National Kandak. Now I am sure the international we have 133 Kandaks. We have community has Afghanistan at the On why the ANA is five Army Corps, one Air Corps, center of their attention. They haven’t important to Afghanistan: and we have established training forgotten Afghanistan, and they are working on Afghanistan. The ANA is necessary for bringing and education institutes. We’ve set The international community knows peace and stability to Afghanistan up the Ministry of Defense along what’s going on in Afghanistan and because we have been engaged in with supporting commands such they know the threat to the rest of the war for the last 30 years. Stability as the logistical command and the world. We are happy that they are is not good here and the enemies of communications command. here and that they are helping us with Afghanistan are trying to make the Our Army is well balanced. the threats against Afghanistan and situation worse. We have Soldiers from all over Pakistan. What most people in Afghanistan the country and they are very We are optimistic about the future want is security and stability, but professional. The people of of Afghanistan and of the Afghan security is not possible unless we Afghanistan are the ANA. The people National Army. We hope to overcome have the defense sector and security of Afghanistan know that the Afghan the problems and overcome the sector under control. That is why National Army defends their rights. enemies of Afghanistan. The elections the Afghan National Army is the The people of Afghanistan do not are upcoming; whatever is asked of defender of the independence of look at the Afghan National Army us for the security of the elections, Afghanistan. We will defend the as a tribal or an ethnic Army — they I am confident that we will be able rights of the Afghan people. We need think of it as a National Army. This is to provide it and confident that we why our citizens have a high opinion the Afghan National Army, especially will have a good election with good of the ANA. in this era when the country is not security. stable, in order to defend the rights of The size of the ANA is increasing.

5 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com By Army Colonel William H. Morris CSTC-A Operations Director

“For three years, our commanders have been clear about the resources they need for training. And those resources have been denied because of the war in Iraq. Now, that will change. The additional troops that we deployed have already increased our training capacity. And later this spring we will deploy approximately 4,000 U.S. troops to train Afghan security forces. For the first time, this will truly resource our effort to train and support the Afghan army and police.” - President Barack Obama, remarks by the President on a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

With President Obama’s speech on a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Photo by Specialist Micah E. Clare as a backdrop, the training and mentoring Paratroopers from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade operational construct for the Combined Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division watch as combat delivery system bundles Security Transition Command-Afghanistan carrying food and water come floating to the ground in the Paktika province ofAf- (CSTC-A) will go through a remarkable ghanistan on Oct. 11, 2007. The 4th BCT is scheduled to return to Afghanistan this transition over the next several months. summer as part of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. For almost four years, we have deployed deploying, and will have deployed from the Once these two BCTs are on the ground, individual augmentees from across the same state, post or camp. Afghan National Security Forces will benefit services alongside Army National Guard This is a significant change for the better by having more trainers present here in Brigade Combat Teams of Combined Joint when considering the fundamental building Afghanistan than ever before. Task Force Phoenix to fill the ranks of our blocks of great units: unity of command, unit Right now, CSTC-A is able to meet just great mentor and training teams. We will now cohesion and family readiness. Although over half of the current requirements to train fill these mentor/trainer positions with a unit- these BCTS are very capable— trained, the Afghan National Army and the Afghan based solution, comprised largely of two US manned and equipped to conduct military National Police. With these two brigades, Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). operations from high-intensity combat to the command will be able to fully meet most We will continue to use the Combined stabilization operations— they are deploying requirements and bring greater capability to Joint Task Force (CJTF) Phoenix structure to Afghanistan for a definite purpose. That our Afghan partners. (led by a combined joint task force purpose is to coach, teach and mentor the This is truly a great improvement in the headquarters) as the execution headquarters Afghan National Security Forces. training and mentoring mission here in for the two brigades. The transition to a two-BCT operation Afghanistan and is symbolic of the strong CJTF Phoenix will maintain a one-star will begin in earnest over the summer and commitment of the United States and our commander from the Army National Guard, early fall as the BCTs and their subordinate Coalition forces to the Afghan National and will consist of two brigade combat teams, battalions deploy into theater. Our great Security Forces and the people of the Islamic one from the Army National Guard and one Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Republic of Afghanistan. from the Active Component Army. Civilians of the current CJTF Phoenix will These BCTs will come with a greater establish conditions for the reception, staging, training and mentoring capability than has onward movement and integration of these ever been realized before in this theater. forces. Commanders will be able to field larger As this occurs, some of our forward training teams for the CSTC-A mission – a operating bases will see a temporary rise in very important factor when considering the population. Planning is well underway for vast area CSTC-A covers, and the threat in new facilities and infrastructure to ensure different areas of Afghanistan. these new CSTC-A units are well cared for These newly arriving CSTC-A units will as they transition in support of our Afghan provide the basis for Embedded Training partners. Teams (ETT) for the Afghan National Army Currently the two brigades earmarked and Police Mentor Teams (PMT) for the for deployment are the 48th IBCT from the Colonel William H. Morris Afghan National Police. Benefits of this unit Georgia Army National Guard, and the 4th approach include the fact that teams will Colonel Morris is the Operations Director IBCT, 82nd Airborne Division from Fort for CSTC-A. He commanded the 2nd come largely from the same unit, will have Bragg, North Carolina. These BCTs will Combat Aviation Brigade in Korea prior trained together for at least a period of six assume the training and mentoring mission to assignment at CSTC-A; he redeploys months (but sometimes for years) before in late summer or early autumn of 2009. to work in the Pentagon this summer. www.cstc-a.com 6 q The Enduring Ledger General Bismullah Mohammadi: training the Afghan National Army

By General Bismullah Mohammadi we also have long-term courses OMLTs. ANA Chief of General Staff and short-term courses. These I was invited to NATO After six or seven years of training courses have given us headquarters, with whom work, we have learned that hope that in four or five years we have been working for the most important thing with we will have educated and almost three years. One of the the Afghan National Army is experienced officers and NCOs requests that I made of them education, training and good in the Afghan National Army. was a request for OMLTs for leadership. Unfortunately, we lack the Afghan National Army. I’m We have two kinds of some of the Embedded very happy that they promised training. We have short- Training Teams (ETTs) and they will help us in this way. term training, and for this Operational Mentor Liaison As I said before, we need we have the Kabul Military Teams (OMLTs) necessary ETTs, OMLTs, and education. Training Center (KMTC). to properly develop the We would also like help with At KMTC we train recruits, ANA. This is especially true the development of KMTC and noncommissioned officers as we increase our numbers some training equipment. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class (NCOs) and officers. from 80,000 to 134,000. We Edward Vasquez But the most important thing For long-term training, need the ETTs and OMLTs in General Bismullah we have institutes here we are requesting from NATO Mohammadi speaks after training and also in combat. the opening ceremony for in Afghanistan like the If we had these problems forces is that the training we receive should meet a unified the Afghan Military Medical National Military Academy solved two years ago, we School, marking the first of Afghanistan. This is the would have had many more standard so ANA units receive time the Afghan military has first time in the history of successes in the Afghan only one kind of training. had a medical school since the time of the Taliban. Afghanistan that we have had National Army. That’s why we Unfortunately in the past every a nationally-accredited military are now working hard, and we country, every nation, has looking for some education academy. are asking the North Atlantic brought their own techniques where they focus on the terrain We also have a commando Treaty Organization (NATO) and standards. and the geographic climate of school, a school for and International Security Also, the environment of Afghanistan. This will help us communications, and a staff Assistance Force (ISAF) to Afghanistan is different from greatly once we have a unified, college at KMTC. Within those help us regarding ETTs and their home nations, so we are standard method of training. ETTs and OMLTs OMLTs The Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) program is a key contribution by the international community toward developing the Afghan National Army (ANA). They are embedded in ANA Battalions (Kandaks), Brigades, Garrisons and Corps Headquarters. OMLTs provide training and mentoring to support ANA units’ operational deployments and often provide a liaison capability between ANA and ISAF forces, coordinating the planning of operations and ensuring ANA units receive enabling support. They are composed of 12 to 19 personnel, depending on the type of partner unit. OMLT training is a 3-phase process, consisting of national training, pre-deployment training and in-theater training. Currently there are 54 OMLTs on the ground with 12 Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aramis X. Ramirez confirmed new OMLT offers. A graduate of the Basic Engineers course at Camp Hero ETTs shakes hands with Warrant Officer Wade Osmond, chief instructor for the Basic Engineer Course and member of Embedded Training Teams (ETTs) are small units with a Canadian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT). valuable skill sets that qualify them to train in specialized Fifteen graduates completed the four-week course, learning areas. Each Embedded Training Team is trained and equipped the fundamentals of mine detection and demolition, field to mentor their Afghan counterparts in the development defense, and basic carpentry. of ANA logistical systems, infrastructure, and national spectrum of operations in the Afghanistan National Security capabilities. ETTs are a single-minded team, focusing energy Force, adhering to counterinsurgency principles. Currently and talents toward developing authoritative leadership, there are 54 ETTs on the ground in Afghanistan. systematic processes and increased capacity across the full

7 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com our presence in Afghanistan is in support of the Afghan people. Defend and engage the population: be viewed as supporters of all the people. Population-centric operations to influence the people should be the main effort with enemy- centric targeting operations in support. Increase interaction between security forces and the population. Move out of FOBs and spend more time with our partners in the ANP, ANA, General David McKiernan, and District and Provincial Commander, U.S. Forces, governments and be more Afghanistan / Interna- visible in the communities tional Security Assistance they serve. In doing so, we Force, Afghanistan legitimize ANSF by linking the provision of security services to “There is no purely military GIRoA; assure the population by solution to the situation in removing insurgent intimidation; Afghanistan. Ultimately, the marginalize insurgents by solution must be a political one making their attacks on security which is Afghan led. In the and governance infrastructure meantime, the military must an attack on the population, thus protect the people and provide forcing the enemy to undermine the security space necessary for its own support base. good governance, development and a successful political ollow an Integrated outcome.” General McKiernan FApproach to Achieve Comprehensive Effects. Focus Our operational imperative on governance, development, is to protect the population and security concurrently. photo by Specialist Joseph A. Wilson while extending the Success in Afghanistan will Afghan National Army Commandos with the 207th Kandak legitimacy and effectiveness not come from the sole pursuit patrol the city of Shindand, Herat Province, Afghanistan. of GIRoA and decreasing of a security line of operation The Commandos make frequent patrols through the area to the effectiveness of insurgent increase security measures. by military forces. Claims elements. Political power is the Support capacity building and environment and anticipate that ISAF only does security central issue in insurgencies and integration amongst our security change, instead of reacting to have no place in this campaign. counterinsurgencies (COIN); partners to improve operations it. Force the enemy to respond These lines of operation are each side aims to influence the and accelerate development of to us and seize windows of interdependent and are intended people to accept its governance ANSF. Provide direction to opportunity to influence the to be complementary and or authority as legitimate. We partnering and mentoring units population effectively. Plan comprehensive; failure in one (ISAF, GIRoA, the Afghan to integrate ANA and ANP all our operations in an Action means mission failure on all. people, and our international operations and, where practical, (our tasks/intent), Reaction Work with all partners to form partners) will prevail in encourage the ANA to assist in (enemy’s), and Counteraction one team in support of the this conflict and succeed in the development of the ANP. (what we do to adapt to the “Integrated Approach.”1 Drive securing and building a better enemy) mindset. this methodology at your level eize and Maintain Afghanistan. The principles for planning, coordination, the Initiative. Adapt ain Situational below apply in all phases of the S execution, assessment, and tactics and seize the initiative Understanding. Gain “Shape, Clear, Hold, and Build” G reporting. Maneuver units before the enemy does a nuanced understanding of the overarching framework and to need to work with the Afghan the same. Continuously situation and dynamics at the all levels of the ISAF chain of government and community incorporate lessons learned local, district, and provincial command. To succeed in this leaders, ANSF, the PRTs, into operations in order to be levels. Share information, best campaign, we must: PMTs, ETTs, OMLTs and more effective than the enemy. practices, and intelligence across e Population-Focused. civilian agencies to make the Proactively identify and plan and between levels to gain a BDemonstrate that sum greater than its parts. for changes in the operational comprehensive understanding 1 Working with and aiming to achieve unity of effort with key partners (UNAMA, International Community representatives, etc.) to ensure efforts are fully integrated from the outset. To achieve this we have to be proactive, identifying and seeking out the key stakeholders and developing the necessary relationships with them.

8 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com of the environment. Collaborate and share information with CF and ANSF partners to further increase their understanding of the human terrain. Identify the specific root causes of insecurity, criminality or support to the insurgency in your area of operations, gain understanding of what exactly “governance” means to local Afghans, and discern the influence of informal structures of power. Staffs should gather and display ‘information and intelligence’ about the human terrain for use by operators at the local level to make lethal and non-lethal targeting and information operations more effective. e Present in Key BPopulation Areas. photo by Specialist Joseph A. Wilson Carry out smaller patrols, An Afghan National Army Commando with the 207th Kandak mans his M240 machine gun support smaller detachments during a routine patrol through the city of Shindand, Herat Province, Afghanistan. These elite and encourage ANSF Soldiers conduct frequent COIN operations to bring peace and stability to the region. counterparts to do the same. aintain the Trust of self defense and our Rules of governance structures. On the These actions free up larger Mand Respect of Engagement. We are fighting an other hand, always support the numbers of similar ANSF units Afghans. Live our values enemy that often hides among community’s shura, whenever it to achieve a disproportionately and act above reproach. the civilian population or uses truly represents the population. greater effect. In those areas Insurgent groups take advantage innocent civilians as a shield, nable Afghan where GIRoA officials and of our failures and, because both before and immediately Solutions and international aid donors find they are not constrained by after an attack, so the battle is E Afghan Capacity. Foster it difficult to generate the the truth, sometimes our often waged among civilians Afghan (not western) solutions personnel and resources required successes, too. Be first with and their property; thus it is and help generate and retain to penetrate into the countryside, the truth. Demonstrate respect imperative that we always human capacity. Develop and step into this vacuum and, at a and consideration for the demonstrate proportionality, sustain an environment that minimum, set the conditions for Afghan people, their culture, requisite restraint and the enables individual mentoring/ their presence. customs, and religion. Avoid utmost discrimination during monitoring teams to perform insults, inappropriate gestures, every action and engagement. e Persistent and Hold. their tasks in support of unnecessary brandishing of Leadership at all levels and Support GIRoA/ increasing GIRoA’s capacity, B weapons, and aggressive driving training, pre-deployment and ANSF efforts to be seen as effectiveness and legitimacy. that Afghans may perceive reinforced in-theater, are the more enduring than the Maneuver units, PRTs, and as offensive, threatening, or keys to minimizing the potential insurgency, which offers no mentors must work together to reckless. Whenever possible for civilian casualties. hope to the population. Do ensure those with appropriate allow and encourage ANSF or not clear an area unless GIRoA einforce Afghan skills contribute to the NDS to search houses or fellow and the ANSF are able to hold Accountability identification and development Afghans when it is required. R it. Establish an environment in and Legitimacy. Encourage of the right types of systemic While we will make mistakes, which the population feels they GIRoA to act in a transparent investment and improvement in remember that your integrity is can resist insurgents without fear and accountable manner. Do GIRoA infrastructure, processes, critical to this fight. of consequence or retribution. this by setting an example. and staff performance. This will only happen if the ursue Relentlessly, When GIRoA (and ISAF) is artner as Equals population believes GIRoA will but Protect Civilian accountable to the populace, P and Promote Afghan outlast the insurgents and, in the Lives. Do not hesitate to its legitimacy is strengthened. P Credibility. Build institutional longer term, offer the population pursue the enemy and act Facilitate solutions at the and personal relationships with greater prospects for security decisively against him; however, district and provincial level your Afghan counterparts and and prosperity. We will stay always employ good tactical that reinforce the rule of law work with them as a team. as long as we are invited and judgment and proportionality and GIRoA’s legitimacy; take Working alongside GIRoA needed…until the job is done. in the application of firepower, care not to strengthen local counterparts (from national to consistent with the inherent right powerbrokers working outside 2 Partner: a habitual relationship between ANSF and ISAF units that must pervade all aspects of the life of an ANSF unit through mutual cooperation and responsibility for planning, preparation, execution, and post operational assessments towards the achievement of joint operational effects. Mentor: coach and teach ANSF units, provide the conduit for command and control, and when required, support the operational planning and employment of the ANSF unit to which they are aligned in order to support the development of a self-sufficient, competent and professional ANSF www.cstc-a.com 9 q The Enduring Ledger Actors at the local level are the key to achieving tactical effects which collectively will help shape the operational and strategic environments. Cumulative success at the tactical level will provide time and space – literally and figuratively – for the key stakeholders at the operational and strategic level to make the necessary institutional changes required to ensure long term stability. That time and space will also allow the governance and development lines of operation to take effect. Provide direction but avoid putting unnecessary burden on those in the field. Photo by Lance Corporal Monty Burton ass on Your Experience. An Afghan National Policeman searches the undercarriage of a vehicle during a cordon and search mission in Farah Province, Afghanistan. The ANP are increasingly in the lead of PPass on your story, counterinsurgency operations with coalition forces in support. The ANP were partnered with especially to those coming Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat in behind you, to maintain element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. SPMAGTF-A’s mission continuity of mission. The is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, with a focus on training and mentoring the Afghan insurgents have been here longer National Police. and the population will always local level) presents us with behavior of key population enemy. Encourage moderate be here; they will remember opportunities to coach, teach groups. Consistently find ways Afghan Islamic groups, mullahs, well after our rotations and the and mentor. Treat your partners to win the battle of perception. and citizens to challenge the passage of time cause us to as equals and work with the Every insurgent action is legitimacy of the ideas and forget. mentors who are teaching and designed to either influence actions of extremist insurgent These principles coaching your partners. Promote the attitudes and perceptions elements. apply in all phases the success and competence of of these population groups nable the Tactical of the “Shape, your Afghan partners. Give or to take advantage of local Fight. Appropriately Clear, Hold and them credit for joint efforts. disenchantment to meet their E authorize, resource, and Build” overarching Partnering and mentoring (see own ends. In the competition framework and to integrate tactical efforts within footnote on previous page for for influence, we must be more all levels of the ISAF the ISAF command structure. definitions)2 enhances protection agile and effective than the chain of command. of the population and reinforces GIRoA legitimacy by providing the people of Afghanistan with a more proficient and effective government at the national, regional, provincial and district levels. Be creative and diverse in your partnering efforts. The ANA may be the most effective security apparatus in Afghanistan but its reach is limited across the country. By contrast, despite significant challenges, the ANP’s reach extends across Afghanistan and is often the only link to GIRoA for a majority of the population. in the Battle of WPerceptions. Work with GIRoA, ANSF and local community leaders to inform Photo by Army Staff Sergeant Marie Schult and shape the perceptions, Afghan National Army Commandos of the 207th Corps, accompanied by Coalition Forces, attitudes, understanding and advance on the enemy after receiving small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire during a routine combat reconnaissance patrol in Herat Province. 10 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com Three cups of chai: Building relationships By Army Major Philip L. Burton First impressions, body language, tone of voice: You will be read in 10 minutes. The average Afghan has the incredible ability to sum up a person within 10 minutes. The first impression you make with your counterpart will stick. If it is negative, it will take an immense amount of time to overcome. Your body language and posture is also important. How you sit in a chair, the posture of your shoulders and how you use your hands to communicate must be non-aggressive and appropriate. Tone of voice is important in everything you do. If you yell photo by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael L. Casteel at an Afghan, you are insulting U.S. Army Major Robert Holbert takes notes as he talks and drinks tea with local school and him — showing disrespect. If Andar Special Needs School administrators at Nani, Afghanistan. Holbert was attached to the this occurs, your counterpart 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne. The 4th IBCT will return to Afghanistan this will listen and then immediately summer as part of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. shut you out. After your initial assessment of your ANA or ANP The Counterinsurgency Training Center counterparts, do not go in and The Counterinsurgency Training Center Forces, USAID, and both the US Department of say “this is #&$^%# up and – Afghanistan (CTC-A) conducts the State and Defense. we are going to fix it this way.” Counterinsurgency Leaders Course – Over the five day course, the students receive Instead, discuss with your Afghanistan (CLC-A) in the last full week of a variety of presentations that prepare them to counterpart the shortcoming each month. participate in a number of practical exercises. and ask if he can explain why The first course for 2009 was conducted These exercises guide the students in the system is the way it is. He from 24 to 29 JAN at CTC-A, Camp Julien, identifying a population’s vulnerabilities and will most likely explain things Kabul. The course drew students from the planning effective counterinsurgency operations you have not considered. Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, to best secure the population. Once you have heard him National Directorate of Security, Coalition out, use the “I recommend” wants to talk about. his problems. Like most people, Afghans route. In other words, use an Be patient. Western culture do not like to fail, nor do they approach that allows your tends to open a meeting with “I highly recommend” want to appear incompetent in counterpart to not only explain, the BLUF, bottom line up front, Let ANA or ANP leadership front of their mentors. but allows him to recommend method. Afghan culture, on the make the decision; don’t make how to fix it. other hand, tends to be BLAE, decisions for your counterparts. When you have gotten to this bottom line at end. If you do and it does not work, stage, you are mentoring. it will be your fault. Don’t contribute to Discuss and make Chai, more chai, then U.S. dependency even more chai: recommendations. If your “No” is a correct course of counterpart does not heed your And then what is important… action: Expect your counterpart recommendation and yet still TO THEM. Drinking chai is to find a method of least an Afghan social event that makes a decision, it is still resistance to solve his problem. carries significant weight. If better than no decision. If your you are invited to drink chai, When a problem arises, it counterpart makes a decision Major Philip L. Burton served as will not be uncommon for your that results in less than effective an S2/S3 advisor for the 2/1/203rd do your best to accept. It is not Corps in Khowst Province, and uncommon to socialize for 45 counterpart to come to you and results, he may listen to you in as the Infantry Kandak Team minutes, drink three cups of hot ask you to fix it or to buy it. the future. Chief for 1/3/203 Corps in Ghazni chai, and then only at the end of Simply say “No.” Assist your Use this opportunity to Province from May to December, 2008. He currently serves as an the event does your counterpart counterpart in using the ANA or discuss lessons learned and operations officer in the Michigan get to the meat of what he ANP systems in place to solve review his initial decision. National Guard. www.cstc-a.com 11 q The Enduring Ledger 12 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com www.cstc-a.com 13 q The Enduring Ledger Home station Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar

Personnel Working across Camp Eggers, ISAF HQ, New Kabul Compound and Camp Phoenix

Commanding Officer Captain James J. Stall

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer First Sergeant Phillip S. Barry, Jr.

Motto “Go hard or go home.”

Mission The 278th Signal Company operates, maintains, and protects US DISN communications services in the Kabul, Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Vasquez Afghanistan metropolitan area in Private First Class Joshua Gerhart of the 278th Signal Company and Daryl Dowtin support of US Central Command, Sr., a contractor, check the alignment of a satellite dish. International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces – Afghanistan, the Combined Joint Task Force – 101 “There’s always something going on. •Network Operation Center and the Combined Security Transition It’s challenging having a command Controls and monitors the Command - Afghanistan in order to with elements spread out all over town. performance of local area networks. support Operation Enduring Freedom. A simple thing like taking a PT test Monitors LANs for Camp Eggers, Camp requires multiple convoys and advance Phoenix and New Kabul Compound. planning.” —First Sergeant Phillip S. Barry, Jr. •Help Desk Trouble-shoots communication Duties and Responsibilities: problems throughout Camp Eggers. •Technical Control Facility Monitors and repairs all internet and The entry point for long haul phone connections. communications, such as satellite uplinks, for sorting to the proper •Outside/Inside Plant sections receiving device such as phones or Responsible for phone cable, CAT 6 the internet. Also handles outgoing cable and fiber optic cable both inside transmissions. and outside the Camps.

Unit Milestones: • The 278th Signal Company has positioned four Direct Signal Support Teams across the city, providing robust, strategic communications to the Warfighter and four major commands. • Recently the company connected a major fiber link from Camp Eggers to Bagram Air Field. This allows faster and more reliable communications to Afghanistan’s major hub. • The company is in the process of taking over and providing the communications infrastructure at a new camp being built in the greater Kabul metropolitan area. • The company engineered and implemented the first-ever DoD operated and Private Charles Echols and Private First Class Taylor Harris, 278th Signal maintained Video Teleconferencing (VTC) system between the White House Company, inspect a tower server on and the Afghanistan Presidential Palace. Camp Eggers. www.cstc-a.com 14 q The Enduring Ledger Police readiness improves through Capital Jumpstart

Story and photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard CSTC-A Public Affairs Kabul, Afghanistan— Afghan National Police (ANP) Officers from Kabul Police District 8 (PD8) have begun to rotate from their downtown station to an eight-week basic training course in Helmand. Throughout the month, groups of approximately 60 officers could be seen moving through Kabul International Airport. In most cases they carried only a single small duffle bag. This was for many of them their first flight; some had never left Kabul before. For Sergeant Jawed of PD8, this was a dream come true. “During the 30 years of war in Afghanistan, security deteriorated badly. I believe the police are necessary to repair and take care of society and that is one of the reasons I became a police officer.” Afghan National Police Officers from Police District 8 in Kabul line up outside The desire of the ANP officers to the gates of Kabul International Airport as a Non-commissioned Officer gains begin training is strong. “We can’t wait accountability, prior to their flight to Helmand to begin an eight-week course as part of Capital Jumpstart. for our training to start,” said Sergeant Shafiullah, an officer with PD8. “It and we are anxious to begin. We are populated and varied demographics, has been a week of canceled flights, definitely ready to get started. This special care is taken to make sure training will be the best that every group is thing for us. It will be “I believe the police represented in the local great to finish all the police departments,” scenarios so that we can are necessary to said Army Colonel learn things to serve our repair and take Anthony Libri, Regional country and our people. Police Advisory I think it will be a great care of society and Command-Kabul class.” that is one of the (RPAC-K) Commander. PD 8 is one of 30 A Police Mentor Police Districts in reasons I became Team from the Kabul and around Kabul. All area provided the districts will eventually a police officer.” officers from PD8 with rotate their officers —Sergeant Jawed constant assistance as through a Regional they prepared to leave Training Center as part of the Capital Kabul. Jumpstart program. The difference “By improving the quality of between Capital Jumpstart and regular mentoring to the police departments Focused District Development (FDD) and providing real life training to the is an FDD district will send an entire police officers, we are able to improve police department to training all at their ability to respond to any type of one time and return them to a police emergency. This enhances the quality department as a unit. In Kabul, of life for every Afghan citizen,” said CSTC-A will train a number of police Libri. from all 30 PDs, and will return them “The training will greatly increase to their respective PDs after their my experience,” said Jawed. “I will be training is completed. able to apply what I learn and increase Afghan National Police Officers from “Kabul is a very different area my professionalism. Hopefully there Kabul’s PD8 board the bus at Kabul International Airport on their way to their when compared to any other area of will be a big difference in how I am flight to Helmand. Afghanistan. Because of its densely able to perform my job.”

15 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com Afghan National Police critical to election security Stories and Photos by Andrea Angeli and Aziz Basam EUPOL Press Office The head of the U.S. Elections Assistance Team, Ambassador Timothy Michael Carney, visited EUPOL March 28. Ambassador Carney’s team, consisting of representatives from various U.S. agencies, met with Police Commissioner Kai Vittrup and engaged in a lengthy discussion about the upcoming Afghan elections. Ambassador Carney is the former deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia and the current director for EUPOL officers oversee training at the Afghan National Police Academy during a Asian Affairs on the National Security week of intensive training for the Afghan National Police. Some 800 police officers Council. He listened as Head of Mission were trained in the week-long course. An additional 900 police will be trained in the Vittrup illustrated in detail the EUPOL near future. plans to provide special training to the Afghan National Police (ANP) tasked is free from intimidation. the Afghan people’s expression of their with securing the forthcoming elections. Both parties agreed that the performance democratic rights at the polling stations Officers are to be taught the importance of of the ANP during the elections will be by promoting a positive and peaceful the election in giving voice to the will of subjected to national and international environment. the Afghan people, and they will be trained scrutiny. The ANP, along with other EUPOL will monitor and stand by the to carry out their duties in facilitating the partners such as the International Security ANP in Operational Control Centers during democratic process. Assisstance Force and the Afghan National the elections. Training will emphasize Afghan police Army, will be judged on their handling not Assistant Inspector General of the roles and responsibilities in preserving only of security during the elections, but U.S. Department of Defense Ambassador peace and public order and providing also on their face-to-face dealings with the Kenneth Moorefield also visited EUPOL security. Afghan police will be trained to Afghan people. that day. He provided an overview of take all appropriate actions to ensure the EUPOL advises the Ministry of Interior the mission, current activities and plans elections take place in a peaceful, open, in planning for elections. EUPOL also in support of police reform and to help impartial and supportive environment that assists the ANP in its task of facilitating strengthen the Rule of Law.

AP Photo— special thanks to Jason Straziuso President Karzai attends the International Conference on Afghanistan at The Hague on March 31. Ministry of Defense Wardak is center in the photo. The conference was co-chaired by Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Kai Eide, Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Ranghin Dadfar Spanta and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen. The conference reaffirmed the solid and long-term political commitment of the international community in assisting the Afghan government in building a better future for Afghanistan and its people. www.cstc-a.com 16 q The Enduring Ledger must be Afghan citizens, join up. We have to make be physically fit, drug-free, the situation better. We need live in or be from the district schools for our children, and selected to work in, with hospitals; and I want to do no criminal record and be what I can,” Beheshti said. under the age of 45. Leaders A U.S. Forces advisor also take into consideration was impressed by what he whether or not the man is saw in the students. “These trustworthy and respected by guys are motivated,” he said. the community. “They have a spirit to protect The protection force will what’s theirs. This is what work closely with Afghan Afghanistan needs. They National Army, Police and want to take their country Coalition forces to protect back. Enough is enough.” their local community. They A new class will begin will maintain security on in the coming weeks, and Photo by Army Captain Jamey Trigg approaches to highways the protection force will More than 240 graduates of the first Afghan Public Protection within their district, protect continue to grow, according Force training program were welcomed home by their key government facilities and to the advisor. community during a March ceremony at the Jalrez District Center in Wardak Province. Members of the Afghan Public personnel, disrupt militant General McKiernan Protection Force will provide additional security to their local attacks and deny insurgent offered encouragement to the communities. safe havens. Additionally, graduating class, noting that the force will provide crisis the new force can rely on the Story by Chief Petty Officer new life of community response to natural disasters support of all the country’s Brian K. Naranjo service. and facilitate economic security assets. USFOR-A According to training development in their district. “I applaud the courage of KABUL, Afghanistan– advisors, the APPF is an According to Beheshti, these men to step forward in Nineteen-year-old Abuzer Afghan-led program that will Wardak is a province that representing the community; Beheshti, along with 242 of provide enhanced security greatly needs the added but they know that if they his fellow Wardak province to designated districts in key protection. The 19-year-old run into problems, they can citizens, became the first provinces, bringing greater said he’s ready to go back call the Afghan National to graduate from the new stability and strengthened and make a difference. Police, Afghan National Afghan Public Protection community development. “I want to help my own Army or international forces Force (APPF) program “This is Afghans training people,” he explained. that are out there. So they’re March 26. Afghans for the security of “There are a lot of Taliban not on their own.” After a rigorous three- Afghanistan,” said a chief in Wardak, and they take our week training program, training advisor for U.S. young boys and make them the graduates proudly forces in the area. accepted their certificates “This is purely an of completion in front of Afghan initiative,” General a large audience including McKiernan explained, high-level officials from the “to develop a bottom-up Government of the Islamic approach; a community- Republic of Afghanistan, based approach, to improve Wardak province elders, security and to give a voice General David McKiernan, to the provincial government. commander of the We are very optimistic in our International Security support of this program.” Assistance Force and U.S. The recruiting process Forces-Afghanistan, and began with nominations by other distinguished guests. community leaders in Wardak The ceremony, held province, which was selected at Camp Mehter Lam, to facilitate mentoring and an Afghan National monitoring. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Baruwa Police facility in eastern Those selected must The first members of the Afghan Public Protection Force stand Afghanistan, officially meet specific requirements in ranks during the three-week initial training course held at welcomed the men to their for the duty. Participants Camp Mehter Lam, an Afghan National Police training facility in eastern Afghanistan.

17 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com CSTC-A Readers: Photos from the field Measuring ANSF Capabilities through Milestones Why use The Training Readiness Assessment Tool The Training Readiness Assessment Tool Capability (TRAT) is a report card that determines a Milestones? unit’s capability milestone (CM) level and is used by Embedded Training Teams and Police Mentoring Teams. A TRAT consists Capability milestones— of personnel, C2, training, sustainment & introduced by the Combined logistics, and overall assessment reports. Security Transition Each category has pre-defined criteria that Command-Afghanistan determine the overall CM level of a unit. (CSTC-A) in July For police mentoring teams this is called 2005— aid mentors by the Police Training Readiness Assessment expressing from a holistic Tool (PTRAT). The TRAT/PTRAT are perspective the incremental monthly reports that are forwarded to the improvements in capability appropriate Afghan Regional Security that training, mentoring and Integration Command (ARSIC). The ARSICs forward the reports to CSTC-A, resources will provide at which tracks all ANA and ANP units. specific points in time.

Capability milestones allow mentors to express What are units graded on? the overall capability Naval Station Norfolk, Va improvement and value- TRATs and PTRATs measure a unit’s readiness in ANP Milestone Requirements added from each of the multiple categories, and each category has many • Manning individual components subcategories. For example, the ANP category of pay • Personnel Records reform has the following criteria: Are police paid • Pay Reform within a system. according to pay reform policy? Are police being paid on time? Are police paid by electronic funds • Personnel Actions Capability milestones transfer? Are police receiving all pay due to them? Is • Tashkil Equipment List also enable senior decision pay discontinued for personnel discharged or absent • Equipment Accountability makers to quickly gauge without authorization for longer than 20 days? • Supply System whether their overall The following is a list of the basic categories: • Maintenance • Facilities resource allocation ANA Milestone Requirements • Formal Training strategies are appropriate. • Sustainment operations • Crime Handling Procedures • Intelligence • Use of Force Capability milestones • Medical • Command and Control improve alignment between • Signal Support • Governance/Rule of Law/Justice Sector the subsystems of a large • Personnel Supporting Efforts scale security assistance • Maintenance • Rule of Law program. • Communications • Citizen Support for GIRoA and ANP

Capability Milestone Descriptions CM1: Independent Operations Capable of conducting primary operational missions. Depending on the situation, units may require specified assistance from Coalition forces or the international community. CM2: Leading Operations with Coalition Support Capable of conducting primary operational mission(s) with routine assistanceNaval Station from, or Norfolk, reliance on, Va international community support. CM3: Participating in Operations Hometown: Davidson, NC. Capable of partially conducting primary operational mission(s), but stillWhat require is your assistance past deploymentfrom, and is reliant experience? on, international 1 gulf community support. cruise USS Ponce, 3 asia cruises USS Kitty Hawk CM4: Not Yet Capable of Operational Missions What is your job at your home duty station? Ship Formed but not yet capable of conducting primary operational mission(s). The unit may be capable, available, or directed to undertake portions of its operational mission but only with significant assistanceLaundry/Barber from, and reliance on, international community support. Job title and unit: Logistice Embedded Training Team/

www.cstc-a.com 18 q The Enduring Ledger Command and Staff College opens Story and photos by Specialist Luke S. Austin CJTF Phoenix Public Affairs KABUL, Afghanistan – April 2 marked the beginning of a new era of professional military development for Afghan National Security Forces as they celebrated the opening of the Command and Staff College. Officers of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, as well as other Afghan agencies will use the new CSC to gain formal military officer training and education. The courses offered at the CSC have been designed by officers of the ANA and Coalition forces, said Lt. Col. Alexander Grabiec, an officer mentor with the Strategic Command and Staff Course office at Camp Phoenix. “What’s important to see here is not that the Command and Staff College opened, but that four schools of training are open Afghan National Army Soldiers, Coalition officer mentors and other members of the under the CSC that span the entire gamut of crowd applaud a speaker at the Command and Staff College opening ceremony. professional officer training,” he said. With four courses to offer, the CSC provides education and training to officers of the Six years ago, officers of the French Afghan National Security Forces from Lieutenant to General officers. army opened the Command and General offers operational training and education With the biggest success story being the Staff Course. The CGSC is an ANA school to one- and two-star general officers, said move toward formal military education, that provides officer development training Grabiec. focus shifted towards resourcing and the for Majors and junior Lieutenant Colonels. “The French army deserves a lot of systems of the CSC, said Grabiec. Three years later, French officers began credit,” he said. “They knew six years Multiple countries came together to help another officer development course. That ago, before the idea for the CSC had even the ANA create this college. The Canadian, course, the Higher Command Staff Course, been manifested, that “The Afghans are German, French, United a professional military Kingdom and American education system needed to driving the train armies all helped to move the exist in Afghanistan.” ANA in the right direction, With two courses already on this ... while building the two new in place, the CSC was at the courses and ultimately the halfway mark to becoming a We just stood CSC, said Grabiec. reality. But what was needed “The Afghans are driving to complete the college were behind them the train on this though,” he two courses to bridge the and whispered said. “We just stood behind gaps. Newly commissioned them and whispered good officers of the ANSF had no good ideas.” ideas.” formal training or educational Coalition officers help courses available to them — Lt. Col. Grabiec ANA officers prepare until they reached the rank coursework, but Afghan of Major and junior Lieutenant Colonel. officers teach everything and run the college. And still, after that, there was no education “The amazing part of this is all these as a Colonel. Given that it takes up to 10 countries working hand-in-hand to make years for an officer in the ANSF to become this college a working reality for the ANSF,” a general, many of the general officers in Grabiec noted. Afghanistan today had no professional military training, Grabiec stated. Four schools of the CSC: “This college has created a complete • Junior Officer Staff Course throughput of training from Lieutenant to • Command and General Staff General in the Afghan National Security Afghan Deputy Minister of Defense Course General Mohammad Akram (right), Forces,” Grabiec said. With training to guide officers through • Higher Command and Staff Major General Richard Formica (left), Course and Afghan National Army officers cut each rank of their career, it brings a standard the ribbon opening the new Command to the field across the entirety of the ANSF, • Strategic Command and Staff and Staff College. he said. Course www.cstc-a.com 19 q The Enduring Ledger RPACs and PMTs: professionalizing the ANP Petty Officer 1st Class Clifton sustainable capacity and to Williams improve the capabilities of CSTC-A Public Affairs the Afghanistan police,” said Regional Police Advisory Army Colonel Anthony Libri, Commands (RPACs) provide RPAC-K commander. “We oversight to Police Mentor mentor, teach, train, evaluate Teams (PMTs) within their and operate with the police command. These PMTs to ensure they develop into a mentor, train, evaluate and self-sustaining organization.” operate with the police they The RPAC-K PMTs are are assigned to in their areas mostly made up of National of operation. Guard Soldiers and DynCorp Regional Police Advisory employees. The DynCorp Command-Kabul (RPAC-K) employees bring police oversees the PMTs for expertise to the PMTs and Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Dillard the Kabul area, but also serve as instructors at the Colonel Abdul Rahimi (left), Chief of 1st District Police HQ, mentors the Kabul Police various training sites. walks the busy streets of his district in Kabul with Army Chief – Lieutenant General The Soldiers come from Colonel Anthony Libri (right), Commander of RPAC-K, and several of his officers. Abdul Rahman, four zone various areas of the U.S., headquarters and 30 district bringing a wide and varied Capability Milestone (CM) Afghanistan while protecting police stations. amount of experience to the rating based on various areas themselves and the citizens of RPAC-K coordinates with program. All of the Soldiers such as training, equipment the community in which they coalition members from are given additional training and facilities. We measure serve. Combined Joint Task Force for the mission, and along our success by the number RPACs and PMTs across Phoenix, Combined Security with their DynCorp partners, of police departments that CSTC-A train police on Transition Command- are able to train the police of improve their overall CM staff procedures, weapons Afghanistan (CSTC-A), Kabul. score. We are pleased to say handling, police tactics, United Nations American “There are PMTs all over that the majority of the Police hands-on training, protection Mission to Afghanistan Afghanistan and the number departments improve their measures and various other (UNAMA), International of the teams varies according scores dramatically after they subjects. They also prepare Security Assistance Force to the needs of the particular have been given training and the ANP for their eight- (ISAF), European Police district,” said Libri. “The the equipment they need.” week basic training course. (EUPOL), Afghan National goal of the RPAC-K PMT Many police departments PMTs continue training after Security Forces and the U.S. program is to train and mentor can now function on their their department or distict State Department. the Kabul police, and to own and many police officers graduates on advanced police “Our job is to build a improve their abilities. Each - both men and women - skills, support systems, and police department is given a can enforce the laws of Rule of Law.

Understanding the Validation Transition Team 1. The CSTC-A Validation Transition Team (VTT) supports the Afghan Regional Security Integration Commands (ARSICs) and their Embedded Training Teams (ETTs) / Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) by facilitating the Training Assessment and Validation Program for Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Units. “What we are: A specially 2. VTT Command and Control: trained, independent team - Assigned to CJTF Phoenix for admin and support. of observers assessing the - Under operational control of CG for ANA Development training level and combat - Regional Teams under tactical control of ARSIC commanders. readiness of ANA units” - Regional teams get all classes of supply and support from - Major Whitney Allen, Executive ARSICs. Officer, Validation Transition Team 3. The VTT has assessed or visited 33 units since December 2008. Along with scheduled first-time assessments and validations during 2009, the VTT is scheduled to re-validate an additional 34 units previously assessed in 2008. www.cstc-a.com 20 q The Enduring Ledger Female ANA soldiers learn Combat Lifesaver skills Story by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Franklin Photos by Sergeant James Sims CJTF Phoenix Public Affairs KABUL, Afghanistan – Soldiers of Capitol Division’s “Alpha” Kandak had the opportunity to broaden their military skills when they completed a three-day Combat Lifesaver Course (CLS) at Camp Phoenix in March. Twenty-three Alpha Kandak Soldiers, including nine women, went through the CLS curriculum at Camp Phoenix under the supervision and mentorship of the Regional Division Advisory Command (RDAC) Embedded Training Team (ETT). The course was refresher training for the 14 male Soldiers who attended, but was a milestone for the female Soldiers. They are only the second such group from the kandak to complete the training, said Sergeant 1st Class Barbara Smith, RDAC administrative non-commissioned A male Afghan National Army Soldier prepares to administer an intravenous injection officer in charge. According to Smith, to a female ANA Soldier during CLS training conducted in March at Camp Phoenix who organized the medical training for Soldiers of Alpha Kandak, Capitol Division. course, training the female Soldiers is to treat the three main preventable especially important because of Afghan causes of combat deaths—blood loss, cultural traditions that normally restrict lung collapse and airway blockage. females from treating males and vice “My intent was to train the female versa. Soldiers because of the cultural Despite these cultural restrictions, differences here, where men can’t however, Brig. Gen. Mohammad treat women and women can’t treat Zadran, commander of Headquarters men,” said Smith. “For the females Security and Support Brigade, this training will help the readiness of Capitol Division, insisted that the the Kandak, especially on medical and Alpha Kandak CLS training be co- humanitarian assistance missions out in educational. the communities,” Smith added. “General Zadran was adamant that The skills the Alpha Kandak Soldiers we train them together in order to learned included airway management, achieve the same type of unit cohesion management of penetrating chest seen in our units,” said Smith. injuries, how to control bleeding, Alpha Kandak is the only Afghan administering an intravenous drip and kandak with female Soldiers assigned. medical evacuation procedures. These The goal of the CLS course was CLS-trained Soldiers now provide to give non-medical Soldiers of the a critical bridge between self aid, kandak training in emergency medical buddy aid and a trained medic. These skills. While these skills are intended frontline emergency medical skills for use in combat, they can also can mean the difference between life be used in non-combat situations. and death in situations where timely During the three days of training, the treatment is essential. Sergeant 1st Class Barbara Smith ANA Soldiers received instruction According to Smith, after completing checks that an IV has been properly and hands-on practice in various the course the Alpha Kandak Soldiers administered during a Combat Lifesaver emergency medical techniques to treat are now more confident in their ability Course conducted at Camp Phoenix for and stabilize combat-related injuries. to keep their fellow Soldiers alive if Soldiers of the Afghan National Army. The course curriculum focused on how they are injured in action.

21 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com Deployment Goals: My biggest goal was to help the Afghans set up a sustainable and viable training program for the future of its medics and patients. My personal goals were to study for promotion and go to the gym daily…so far so good! I am right on track to test when I get home and I have lost 18 pounds and feel great about this deployment. Life after Camp KAIA: I will be returning to the 49th Medical Operation Squadron at Holloman AFB. I will be taking on a new flight Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge position, lots of work ahead; I am looking forward to the challenge! I will also be returning to my husband Edward and my son Andrew, age 2. Book I’m reading now: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini Hobbies: Reading, working out, watching movies, shopping and hanging out with family and friends photo by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Johann Westphall Supervisor says: As the medical face of “mentor” success, Technical Sergeant Pahl ensured a seamless transition of Technical Sergeant Jennifer M. Pahl the Air Corps Southside Medical Clinic to the Northside Home station: Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. “How many compound, ensuring sustained, uninterrupted Hometown: Roswell, N.M. people can medical operations. Her tireless efforts, lauded by Job title and unit: Medical Technician Advisor, 438th say they all at the “Grand Opening,” established the motto – Air Expeditionary Advisory Group (AEAG) helped “On Time, the First Time.” She authored an NCO Best part of the deployment: My best experience build an Air professional development training course, developed was conducting airway, breathing and suction Corps?” several medical lesson plans, and then plunged into training. The Afghans are very excited to learn about implementing the first Afghan friendly critical life- — Tech Sergeant saving skills course for 30 Afghan medics. equipment they have not seen before and it makes me Jennifer Pahl feel great to teach them something valuable that could Supervisor name and duty title: Lieutenant Colonel potentially save a life in their clinic. I feel very proud to be (Dr.) Johann S. Westphall, Medical Team Lead, 438th AEAG making history in Afghanistan!

The wind snapped across the landscape at Adraskan, but hardly affected the proud professional policeman standing in formation. The 322 Afghan National Civil Order Police and 65 Counter-narcotics graduates were the latest to join the long gray police line. As they approached the podium for their certificates, each graduate shouted a joyful “I serve the nation of Afghanistan” and held their certificates high above their heads. The professionalism and pride of these individuals symbolizes the changing image of the police in Afghanistan— one by one. The police are consistently growing confidence as patrolmen and they are more than grateful to have the opportunity of serving their country in a positive fashion. CSTC-A’s Police Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior (MOI) will continue to ensure that the citizens of Afghanistan are provided with high quality police men and women who will execute their mission to the utmost of their abilities. —Brigadier General Anne Macdonald, CSTC-A Assistant Commanding General for Police Development www.cstc-a.com 22 q The Enduring Ledger Air Corps makes “first flight” medical evacuation By Technical Sergeant Jennifer M. Pahl Support from both the ANA Surgeon MEDEVAC-modified helicopters at the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory General’s office and the Air Corps helped Kabul Wing, with plans to expand that Group the nascent capability progress quickly capability over the next several years In March, the Afghan National Army from a mere “proof of concept” idea and to other Air Corps facilities throughout Air Corps (ANAAC) Medical Evacuation mission to a working MEDEVAC system Afghanistan. (MEDEVAC) crews assigned to the Kabul ready for limited deployment throughout Wing, Afghanistan accomplished their Afghanistan. Technical Sergeant Pahl is also the “first flight” to the ANA National Military Colonel Abdul Rassoul Mayel, the CSTC-A “Warrior of the Month” - see Hospital in downtown Kabul. Behind ANA Air Corps Surgeon General and lead previous page. this historic mission stood the 438th Air Afghan proponent for the new capability, Expeditionary Advisory Group (AEAG), attributed success to “good leadership who mentored flight medics for proper within the ANAAC and great teamwork patient loading procedures, appropriate with our mentors.” in-flight medical care, handling of in-flight As part of the program, Afghan flight medical emergencies, and the safe transfer medics attended extensive training on of patients to hospital medical staff. patient configuration, proper litter and About the new capability, Master strap usage, and flight-line driving to Sergeant McClure, lead MEDEVAC include approaching the aircraft for mentor, said, “after a total of 12 weeks loading and off-loading patients. of training, Air Corps flight medics are Captain Jeremy Hicks stated that the prepared to respond to the call of duty. medics received the training very well: Missions are launched, medics deploy, and “The flight medics we mentor are highly photo courtesy of 438th AEAG recovery of injured air crew, Soldiers, and motivated and eager to learn this new life- Soldiers of an Afghan National Army Air Afghan civilians occur... it is the greatest saving mission.” Corps MEDEVAC crew train to evacuate Currently, the Air Corps has 5 MI-17 casualties to the ANA National Military feeling in the world.” Hospital. COMISAF: Respect for Afghans is essential Staff Report Marines and Civilians. Referencing the personnel will demonstrate respect and CSTC-A PAO consequences of poor judgment and the consideration for Afghan traffic and Are you that guy? That guy who drives benefits of common respect for others, pedestrians.” like a maniac through the streets of Kabul he directed that, “All personnel will CSTC-A fully endorses General or Kandahar, right down the middle of the demonstrate respect for Afghans, Afghan McKiernan’s tactical directive. As those road – just because you think you can? culture, Afghan customs, and Islam in who work closest with Afghans, we must Well, according to General David their actions and words.” understand the importance of respect for McKiernan, Commander, United States Of particular note to disrespectful Afghans. The next time you get out into Forces Afghanistan / International Security drivers, General McKiernan noted that, traffic, demonstrate this respect. Assistance Force, Afghanistan, your “On the road and in vehicles, ISAF Yak Team Wahed! One Team Together! actions might be more far-reaching than you might think. In his tactical directive dated December 30th, 2008, General McKiernan emphasized the importance of maintaining the support of the Afghan people in this counterinsurgency war. General McKiernan wrote that, “Our actions both on and off the battlefield are important to our success. We must maintain our professionalism at all times, and always keep in mind the consequences of our actions. Respect for the Afghan people, their culture, their religion, and their customs is essential.” General McKiernan issued the tactical photo by Fred W. Baker III directive in part to increase awareness U.S. Army Soldiers drive a convoy into the city of Gardez, Afghanistan— the Paktia provincial capital— to meet with local officials. The Soldiers are assigned to 1st among Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment. www.cstc-a.com 23 q The Enduring Ledger 24 q The Enduring Ledger www.cstc-a.com