THE SPO-TIMES
V o l um e 1 , I s s ue 3 J ul y 2 0 1 2
I nt er na l n ew sl et t er f or o ur s er vi ce me m ber s a n d f a m il i e s. . . The SPO Times is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The SPO Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army. The commanding officer for NTM-A DCOM SPO is Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO Public Affairs Officer. Contact information: monika.comeaux@afghan.swa.army.mil, DSN: 318-237-0470, Cell: 070-681-8709.
Commanders gather for conference at Eggers Story by Capt. M onika Comeaux, DCOM -SPO PAO CAM P EGGERS, Afghanistan ± Six regional support command teams came together July 13-14 at Camp Eggers for a conference to cover variRXV WRSLFV DQG PHHW WKHLU KLJKHU KHDGTXDUWHUV¶ VWDII VHFWLRQV The Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-$ RUJDQL]HG WKH FRPPDQGHUV¶ FRQIHU ence, which was the first one since all RSCs welcomed new commanders.
TABEL OF CONTENTS: P.1& 6: Commanders gather for conference P. 2-3: From our leaders P. 5: Farewell to chief advisor P. 7-8: DCOM SPO changes of command P. 9: Featured coalition partner
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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Scott Arnold, commander of Regional Support Command-Southwest and U.S. Army Col. Christopher Reed, commander of Regional Support Command-South participate in a commander's conference July 13 organized by the Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan at Camp Eggers, Kabul. NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO 1
P. 10-11: Staff Sgt. Advises ammo handling in West P. 12: ANA takes over 73 buildings at Shorabak P. 13: RSC-SW helps Main- ward Corps with convoy P. 14: Maintenance course graduates 37 P. 15: Camp Shaheen barracks transfer P. 16: Outreach to villagers P. 17: Training center turned over to ANSF P. 18-19: Around the battle- field P. 20: Zafar graduates NCOS
From our leadership
Team,    It  seems  like  I  was  just  typing  a  note  to  everyone  a  few  days  ago,  and  it  is  already  time  for  our  next  newsletter!  Time  over  here  goes  very  fast   when  ›‘— ƒ”‡ Dz…‘Â?•–”—…–‹˜‡Ž› „—•›Ǥdz ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŻÂ• ‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ”‡ˆ‡”‡Â?…‡• —•‡ ™Š‡Â? ÂƒÂ†ÇŚ dressing  our  service  members  to  have  no  excuse  for  being  bored  .  Not  only  does  this  apply  to  personnel  here  in  Afghanistan,  but  also  to  families  back  home,  wherever  you  may  be  supporting  your  deployed  love  one  from.   A  year  deployment  is  a  long  time  not  to  make  yourself  better;   I  en-Ââ€? courage  our  services  members  to  make  the  most  of  their  deployment  here  in  Afghanistan.   Besides  accomplishing  the  mission  at  work,  setting  personal  goals  and  working  towards  them  makes  one  feel  like  there  is  progress  being  made.  Life  does  not  stop  just  because  we  are  deployed!  These  goals  can  be  simple;  getting  in  shape,  losing  weight  or  saving  money  for  something.   Some  manage  to  get  some  college  courses  in  or  knock  out  some  online  professional  development  courses.   On  July  16,  Chairman  of  the  Joint  Chief  of  Staff  Gen.  Martin  E.  Dempsey  published  a  white  paper  about  joint  education.  There  is  no  better  environ-Ââ€? ment  to  learn  something  from  our  sister  services  and  even  learn  from  other  nations  around  us,  then  here  under  the  umbrella  of  NATO  Training  Mission-Ââ€?Afghanistan!    In  his  paper  Gen.  Dempsey  encourages  us  to  develop  the  talents  and  abilities  of  leaders  at  every  echelon  to  maximize  their  individual  potential,  build  effective  units,  and  to  optimize  their  contribution  to  the  joint  fight.  ‡ ƒŽ•‘ •–ƒ–‡• –Šƒ– Dz™‡ Â?—•– ƒ••‹•– ‡˜‡”› •‡”˜‹…‡ Â?‡Â?„‡” ‹Â? „‡…‘Â?‹Â?‰ ƒ Ž‹ˆ‡-Ââ€?long  learner,  always  hungry  for  new  Â?Â?‘™Ž‡†‰‡ ƒÂ?† †‡‡’‡” —Â?†‡”•–ƒÂ?†‹Â?‰Ǥdz ‡ƒ”Â?‹Â?‰ ‘’’‘”–—Â?‹–‹‡• Â?—•– ‘……—” ‹Â? ‡˜‡”› ƒ•’‡…– ‘ˆ Ž‹ˆ‡ ƒÂ?† •‡”˜‹…‡Ǥ ‹˜‹Â?‰ ‹• one  of  the  challenges  of  life;  our  past  experiences  and  flexibility  helps  us  through  the  obstacles  we  face,   our  resilience  allows  nothing  to  keep  us  down.  Imagine  a  world  of  peaches  and  cream.  Where  is  the  growth?   I  urge  everyone  to  embrace  the  opportunities  that  present  themselves  to  learn  about  our  sister  services,  coali-Ââ€? tion  partners,  full  spectrum  operations,  the  particular  mission  here  and  our  host  country,  Afghanistan.   If  your  section  or  Regional  Support  Command  is  losing  some  people  due  to  restructuring,  and  you  find  yourself   with  additional  duties,  embrace  those  as  an  opportunity  to  learn  and  excel.  You  will  amaze  yourself  on  how  to  operate  smarter  and  prioritize  those  many  tasks.   ‘” –Š‡ ˆƒÂ?‹Ž‹‡•ǥ ›‘— ƒ”‡ –Š‡ ”‘…Â? ˆ‘—Â?†ƒ–‹‘Â? ˆ‘” ›‘—” •‡”˜‹…‡ Â?‡Â?„‡”Ǣ ÇŻÂ? ‡š–”‡Â?‡Ž› …‘Â?ˆ‹†‡Â?– –Šƒ– ›‘—” Š—•nj band,  wife  or  significant  other  performs  well,  knowing  you  are  safe  and  happy.  As  we  look  forward  to  the  happy  reun-Ââ€? ion,  we  will  take  it  a  day  at  a  time  staying  focus  on  the  mission  until  we  can  come  home.   I  am  sure  many  spouses  are  already  working  on  goals  they  have  set,  sometimes  secretly,  trying  to  surprise  their  deployed  loved  one  when  they  re-Ââ€? turn.   Although  we  have  different  services  and  different  coalition  partners  join  us  and  depart  from  us  at  various  times,  we  are  all  in  this  together.  We  will  all  depart  with  a  lot  of  new  experiences,  things  that  we  have  learned  and  memories  and  friendships  we  will  hold  on  to  for  the  rest  of  our  lives.   I  am  proud  of  each  and  every  one  of  you,  here  or  at  the  home  front,  for  marching  forward  and  making  things  happen.   Keep  up  the  good  work,  stay  safe  and  make  the  most  of  the  opportunities  that  present  themselves  for  personal  or  professional  development!                  Sincerely:                            CSM  Terry  E.  Parham                                                                                                                                                                                   DCOM  SPO/13th  ESC                                                                                                                                                                                    NATO  Training  Mission-Ââ€?Afghanistan Â
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DCOM-SPO/13th ESC Well team, ǯ Ǥ Ǧ gional Support Command Commanders have changed out, we've held a Com-‐ mander's Conference to update our new team on priorities across the DCOMs and we are focused on planning for FY 13 transitions. Progress is being made in many areas and across the DCOM-‐SPO team. Your hard work and engage-‐ ment with your Afghan National Security Forces partners is making the differ-‐ ence. I ask each of you to review the 13 focus areas, which are the founda-‐ tion of our plan through December 2012. These areas provide the framework for your priorities and will impact significantly on the logistics capabilities of the ANSF. Through the summer months until the end of September, I ask your emphasis on three key areas. First, we must help the ANSF improve on their reporting procedures and accuracy of information related to logistics. Reporting accuracy and fre-‐ quency will enable the ANSF to anticipate requirements and until we can add Ǯ ̵ -‐ allow them to increase readi-‐ ness at the Zone and Corps level. Work to mirror reporting through the advi-‐ sor channels from the region to the national level, if Authorized Stockage Lists (ASL) are not in place, get them devel-‐ oped and get the items on order. We will help to gain approval, track levels of ASL and work to reconcile requests with shipments. Within DCOM-‐SPO we are tracking many "Logistics Indicators" to show our leaders and the Afghans where the system is working or where we need to focus our attention. Second, the distribution system is critical to support the Afghan National Army and Police. At both the national and regional levels, we must ensure accurate visibility of supply convoys moving, and advisors must communicate de-‐ partures and arrivals, problems with shipments or delays. Frequency and reliability of distribution will be critical to the fielding of critical supplies, equipment and building stockage levels. This directly impacts operational readiness and build confidence of the ANA and ANP leaders and soldiers in the logistics system. Having a reliable distribution system enables the reporting improvements mentioned above to have an impact on units in the field. Finally, efforts are well underway to streamline the requisitioning system. Our focus to this point is on the ANA and we are making progress toward reducing the number of approvals required to move a request through the system. With valuable input from the RSCs we have proposed a streamlined ordering process to the Assistant Minister of De-‐ fense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and other senior ANA Logistics General Officers. It received positive support. The Logistics Operations Section of DCOM-‐SPO took these procedural changes to the Decree Committee and is seeking their approval to make the changes. If approved and implemented, all of you will need to help train and EN-‐ FORCE these procedures across the ANA footprint. All three of these initiatives are linked and interrelated. If the requisitioning system speeds up, we must have a better reporting system to track stockage and readiness levels and more requests means more supplies that need dis-‐ tributed to units. Each of you will play a key role in making these changes a reality. Your continued mentoring and ad-‐ vising is critical to success-‐ your reports back to the DCOM-‐SPO staff ensure that we know if the system is working and allows us to check the reporting through the ANSF at the national level. Keep working hard, you are making a difference every day.....but remember to keep your Afghan partners en-‐ gaged in every aspect of the mission. Allow them to take the lead and solve the problems. Last but not least, to our great support system, our Families and friends back home: Thanks for encouraging us, listening to us, sending us things we need and holding down the home front. Thank you for taking care of every-‐ thing at home and allowing us to focus on our mission here! Shoulder to Shoulder BG Clark LeMasters DCOM-‐SPO/13th ESC Commander NATO Training Mission-‐Afghanistan 3
Not just a name on a plaque Story by Air force Tech. Sgt. April Wickes, RSC-West UPAR CAMP STONE, Afghanistan Âą Have you ever admired a Memorial from afar? Take a closer look next time and you may be surprised by what you find. On 6 July 2012, Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Nededog, Joint Medical Operations Center Bio- Medical Equipment Technician Mentor in Regional Support Command-West was caught off guard by what he IRXQG RQ &DPS 6WRQHÂśV 0HPR rial in Herat, Afghanistan.
³, SDVV E\ WKDW 0HPRULDO DOO WKH WLPH DQG ,œP DOZD\V ORRN LQJ IURP DIDU ZKHQ ,œP SDVVLQJ by, but then I decided to stop and take a look after the formaWLRQ ´ VDLG 1HGHGRJ ³, ORRNHG DW it closer and I was like, wow I FRXOGQœW EHOLHYH KLV QDPH ZDV RQ WKHUH , GLGQœW NQRZ KH ZDV KHUH LQ +HUDW ³ After hearing his cousin Anthony passed away, Nededog placed the news at the back of KLV PLQG ³, QHYHU UHDOO\ SDLG WR much mind about it, it GLGQœW UHDOO\ VWDUW WR kick in until I started to keep in touch with his younger brother Austin. I looked it up, I was on YouTube scrolling through different Memorial videos of Corpsman and I saw it said 2008, I thought wow WKDW ZDV SUHWW\ UHFHQW ´ said Nededog. After doing more research he found out that Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Carbullido died in Afghanistan during a convoy operation, but Nededog had no idea where in Afghanistan. Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Nededog, Joint Medical Operations Center Bio Medical Equipment Technician Men- ³:KHQ , VDZ KLV QDPH tor working in Regional Support Command-West, points RXW KLV FRXVLQ¡V QDPH RQ &DPS 6WRQH¡V PHPRULDO -XO\ on the plaque I was kind of in shock a little in Herat, Afghanistan. Nededog recently discovered his cousin Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Carbullido's name bit, I was just surprised on the wall. Nededog is deployed from United States Navy LW FDXJKW PH RII JXDUG ´ Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. he said. April Wickes, RSC-W/NTM-A Unit Public Affairs Rep. 4
Nededog was never really close to his cousin Anthony, but had a lot in common with him. They were both Navy Corpsmen, they were both Petty Officer 2nd Classes and they were both stationed at Camp Stone. 0H DQG $XVWLQ $QWKRQ\œV brother) were close but I never really paid attention to Anthony, it was kind of weird that I found out he was a Corpsman, he was a corps school instructor, and he did a lot of great things being a &RUSVPDQ ´ VDLG 1HGHGRJ When asked what it was like being at the same location as his cousin, Nededog stated that he thinks about it every QLJKW DQG WKDW LWœV NLQG RI ZHLUG ³, IHHO OLNH , ZDV PHDQW WR FRPH here, that I have a purpose KHUH ,œP QRW VXUH ZK\ H[DFWO\ EXW PD\EH LWœV EHFDXVH RI P\ MRE ´ KH VDLG ³, MXVW WKLQN LWœV odd, of all places in the world; ,œP KHUH ZKHUH KH ZDV ³ If Nededog could talk to his cousin Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Carbullido today this is what he would say: ´)LUVW DQG IRUHPRVW WKDQN you for your service, I wish I paid more attention to you, and ,œOO GR P\ EHVW WR QRW RQO\ EH D good Corpsman but a brother to $XVWLQ ,œP VRUU\ WKDW , QHYHU NHSW LQ WRXFK ZKHQ , OHIW *XDP ´
)DUHZHOO WR WKH $UP\ 6XSSRUW &RPPDQG¡V FKLHI DGYLVRU Story by Capt. Elizabeth Reyes, DCOM-SPO Force Management Officer The combined Afghan logistics staff from Army Support Command provided a farewell dinner RQ -RKQ *LOOHWWHœV ILQDO GD\ DV $6& &KLHI $GYLVRU With many coalition officers and senior noncommissioned officers on hand, Maj. Gen. Hotek, Commander of the Army Support Command provided a large spread of foods reminding all of the generous and flavorful Afghani culture. The long and broad table seated over 30 personnel, yet every inch of the table was covered with dishes of rice, lamb, beef, kebabs, vegetables, fruits, desserts, and drinks. It was certain that no one went away hungry. Towards the end of the meal, Hotek thanked Gillette for his service, his dedication, his loyalty, but most of all for his devoted friendship. Hotek concluded by giving Gillette DQ WUDGLWLRQDO $IJKDQ GUHVV MDFNHW DQG KDW VD\LQJ ³,W has truly been an honor serving with my dear friend. :H ZLVK \RX EHVW OXFN LQ \RXU IXWXUH ´ *LOOHWWH DVNHG if he could close the meeting with a few final comPHQWV ZLWK +RWHNœV SHUPLVVLRQ ³, KDYH EHHQ H[WUHPHO\ EOHVVHG WR ZRUN ZLWK all of you for many months. I have witnessed first-
hand your dedication and commitment to building a strong army that will serve Afghanistan far into the future. I leave you with confidence and high expectation that you will continue to do great and wonderful things to build the army in the right direction for the best of all of the wonderful people who live here in .DEXO DQG DOO RI $IJKDQLVWDQ ´
John Gillette (center in civilian clothes) poses for a photo with members of the operations section of Deputy Command of Support Operation under NATO Training Mission Afghanistan at Camp Eggers, Kabul. Gillette was the chief advisor for the Afghan Army Support Command and worked closely with DCOM-SPO. Courtesy Photo
From the Mobile Training Team By U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Andrew D. Blackwell
Left: Afghan National Police Logistics instructors stand with Coalition mentors after a Logistics 101 class is conducted on Camp Phoenix Right: Afghan National Police Logistics instructors Captain Gullam instructs a student on the proper way to fill out the Ministry of Interior Form 1687
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&200$1'(5œ6 CONFERENCE from p.1 ³7KH SXUSRVH RI WKH conference was to bring the six new commanders and command sergeants major together at the NTM-A headquarters and to provide them with guidance and essential information to acFRPSOLVK WKH PLVVLRQ ´ VDLG German Army Col. Karl Habel, DCOM-SPO chief of VWDII ³7KLV FRQIHUHQFH SUR vided a good opportunity to Participants of a two-day commander's conference organized by the Deputy Command of Support JHW WR NQRZ HDFK RWKHU ´ Operations under NATO Training-Mission Afghanistan listen to a strength-management brief July 14 Harrison House on Camp Eggers. The conference allowed participants to get to know each other, The conference cov- at ask questions and share their best practices and experiences with each other. NATO Training Misered various elements of sion - Afghanistan is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Governthe NTM-A mission includ- ment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan Naing updates from the Dep- tional Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO uty Commanding General of geant major, a lot of that administrative stuff is Operations (DCG-OPS), Deputy CommanderArmy (coalition section that oversees training and my responsibility. Now I know whom to call, equipment fielding for the Afghan National Army), whom to talk to. And we got some good policy Deputy Commander-Police (coalition section that guidance on what the general is expecting and oversees training and equipment fielding for the WKDW KHOSV D ORW ´ KH VDLG Afghan National Police), Combined Joint EngiHuston also found it very useful to meet neering. They also reviewed the proposed logis- the different staff sections but wishes he had tics transition plan for all regional support comPRUH WLPH ³, ZRXOG OLNH WR VHH D OLWWOH PRUH WLPH mands. so we can get together as a small group, maybe a little time in the evening, a little more personal Lt. Col. Stuart Furner, Regional Support time because to be a honest, at these conferCommand-North Deputy Commanding officer ences a lot of the stuff that gets done, gets done said that the most useful part of the conference in the hallway in-EHWZHHQ ´ +XVWRQ VDLG IRU KLP ZDV ³VHHLQJ HYHU\ERG\ RQ WKH VWDII VR you know whom you are talking to on the other The most beneficial part of the conference end of the e-PDLOV ´ IRU WKH VWDII ZDV ³WKH FRPPDQGHUœV IHHGEDFN Stuart also did a lot of networking and ob- about the reality on the ground and how we can tained taining information about his fellow RSCs. do better to support them in their challenging mis³,W LV LPSRUWDQW WR NQRZ WKDW HYHU\ 56& LV XQLTXH VLRQV RXW LQ WKH UHJLRQV ´ VDLG +DEHO and everybody has different challenges. It was Habel said he received positive feedback good to see how everyone else is working DERXW WKH FRQIHUHQFH ³, WKLQN WKH FRPPDQGHUV WKURXJK WKRVH FKDOOHQJHV ´ KH VDLG and command sergeants major appreciated the Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Huston, the RSC-West FRQIHUHQFH ´ +H FUHGLWHG WKH VXFFHVV RI WKH FRQ sgt. maj. found the J1 (human resources/ ference to his staff. personnel management) piece the most useful. Habel hopes to have the next conference ³7KHUH ZDV D ORW RI LQIRUPDWLRQ SXW RXW DERXW awards and noncommissioned officer evaluation sometime in December, once a good part of DCOM-632œV QHZ SHUVRQQHO URWDWHG LQ reports and different processes and as a ser6
Regional Support Command-North Gets New Commander By Staff Sgt. James Bolinger RSC-North Public Affairs CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan ¹ Col. Ted Donnelly, assumed command of Regional Support Command ¹ North from Col. Robbin Fontes, in a ceremony at Camp Spann July 4. After a one-year command here, Fontes left RSC-North for a military fellowship program at Harvard University. ³7KH 56&-North team has been dedicated to the assisting (the Afghan National Security Forces) in assuming responsibility for and control of your training facilities, medical facilities, infrastructure, logistics system, contracting and many other DUHDV ´ VDLG )RQWHV LQ KHU IDUHZHOO VSHHFK ³7KHUH KDYH EHHQ PDQ\ FKDOOHQJHV PDQ\ obstacles, but there has also been much progress over the past year; and that progress is GXH WR $16)œV KDUG ZRUN ´ Donnelly joins the RSC-Team as a recent graduate of the Army War College. He began his career as an infantry officer before becoming a foreign area officer. ³7R WKH 6ROGLHUV 6DLORUV $LUPHQ Marines and civilians of RSC-North from all coalition nations; the Fourth of July is a particularly appropriate day for me to thank you for service and sacrifice, not just on behalf of our respective nations, but on behalf RI WKH $IJKDQ 1DWLRQ ´ VDLG 'RQQHOO\ LQ KLV DFFHSWDQFH VSHDFK ³, ORRN IRUZDUG WR VHUY ing with all of you as we work to make the salty water sweet across northern AfghaniVWDQ ´ 'RQQHOO\ KDV D PDVWHUœV LQ ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 5H lations from Yale University and a bacheORUœV LQ )RUHLJQ $IIDLUV IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ of Virginia. He will be the commanding RSCNorth for at least one year.
U.S. Army Col. Ted Donnelly assumed command of Regional Support Command ² North from U.S. Army Col. Robin Fontes in a ceremony at Camp Mike Spann, Afghanistan July 4. Donnelly is a recent graduate of the Army War College. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC-North Public Affairs
Col. Robin Fontes, accepts an end of tour award from Brig. Gen. Clark LeMasters, the NATO Training Mission ² Afghanistan deputy command of support operation commander, during a change of commander ceremony here July 4. Fontes relinquished command to Col. Ted Donnelly. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger 7
Regional Support Command Command-Capital Assumption of Command RIGHT: Army Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr.(left) deputy commander of Support Operations under NATO Training MissionAfghanistan, hands the colors to U.S. Army Col. Keith A. Detwiler (center) incoming commander as outgoing commander U.S. Marine Col. Roderick T. Arrington (with his back) stands in formation with them during the Regional Support Command-West change of command ceremony July 10 at Camp Stone, Herat, Afghanistan. BELLOW LEFT: U.S. Army Col. Keith A. Detwiler, incoming commander of Regional Support CommandWest addresses the audience during his change of command ceremony July 10 at Camp Stone, Herat, Afghanistan. BELLOW RIGHT: U.S. Marine Col. Roderick T. Arrington the addresses his personnel one last time before he leaves July 10, at Camp Stone, Afghanistan. Photos by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM SPO/NTM-A PAO
LEFT: Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters (left) deputy commander of support operations under NATO Training MissionAfghanistan hands the unit colors for Regional Support Command-Capital to Col. Marlin L. Remigio (center), the new commander, as RSC-Capital Sgt. Maj. John F. Dogan (right) stands with them in the triangular formation July 2, at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan. RSC-Capital falls under NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan, which is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntma.com. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A CSTC PAO
Regional Support Command Command--West Change of Command
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J U LY · S F E A T U R E D C OA L I T I O N PA R T N E R B E S I M TA N R I K U L U
from Turkey
Rank: Major Service: Turkish Army Branch: Ordnance/Maintenance Unit: DCOM-SPO J5. In Turkey: NATO Partnership for Peace Training Center International Security Course Directorate. Where are you from in Turkey? City of Erzurum on the eastern part of Turkey What is your exact position here at DCOM SPO? I am working as J-5 Future Operations Afghan National Army Logistics Planner. I n everyday terms, what do you do on a day to day basis? I am participating as an action officer in DCOM-A supply meetings, DCOM-A sync meetings, the Phoenix Working Group meeting (ANA),JPT meeting, of course daily routine works and I focus on ANA Tashkil(table of organization and equipment used for Afghan National Security Forces) changes and training requirements. How long have you been in the service? I spent four years in an army high school, four years in an army college, since I have graduated; I have served 15 years in the army. How long have you been in Afghanistan? Four months What other foreign assignments have you served on? 2003 Supply service management course in the USA,2008 Afghanistan RCC warehouse as a property book officer. Where did you learn English? I am not sure about English; I have learned English at an army high school. Besides Turkish and English, are there any other languages you speak? A little bit of Russian. What is your favorite sport? I like soccer, basketball and diving. Are there any funny/interesting experiences that you would like to share about working in Afghanistan and working with other nations? Before coming to the Afghanistan I assumed that people from the USA, UK and Australia were speaking the same English. But I was wrong. Australia has a different and hidden language named Australian:)). $QG DOVR , WKLQN WKHUH LV DQRWKHU ODQJXDJH VSRNHQ E\ VHUYLFH PHPEHUV QDPHG ³$FURQ\P (QJOLVK ´ I s there anything you would like to add/highlight in this introductory piece? It is an honor to work with you in Afghanistan. Everyone here showed me that they are good soldiers. Beyond that, everyone who I worked with is honest, people-centered, and diligent and love their countries as well as this beautiful country. This is a good way of showing how our nations work side by side, contributing to the overall success of the mission here. I think we are close to being finished; we will leave our mark on this country and one day we will see the reward for all we have done. I will always remember the heroes who scarified their lives for freedom and a better Afghanistan. I wish mercy and grace from God for these heroes, and hope God gives their families strength to endure their absence. Working with you and working on DCOM-SPO was amazing. I have learned many valuable things from my colleagues. It was also a different and important experience for me to work in DCOM-SPO, because it was more US-style than coalition, especially compared to the other NTM-A units. I will always remember and cherish the work I have done here with my coalition partners. 9
Army staff sergeant advises ammunition handling in all of Regional Support Command-West By Army Capt. M onika Comeaux DCOM -SPO/NTM -A Public Affairs Specialist CAM P STONE, Afghanistan ¹ It is not easy for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sabrina A. Barragan, to be away from her two young children for the fourth time during her military career. It is even more challenging to work as a trainer and adviser for all matters concerning ammunition storage, issue and handling, for the Afghan National Security Forces in approximately one-fifth of Afghanistan in Regional Support Command-West. However, according to multiple accounts from her supervisor and Afghan National Army partners she works with on a daily basis, she is cut out for this task! Barragan advises personnel at the ANA ammunition supply point at Camp Zafar, as well as travels to remote locations to make sure that the ammunition issued from Zafar is received, stored and issued out properly, she said. Recently, she was asked to provide the same oversight for the Afghan National Police, at nearby locations. At the Zafar ASP, she does spot checks and LQVSHFWLRQV RIWHQ ³2Q D GD\ WR GD\ EDVLV ZH PDNH VXUH WKDW WKH LQYHQWRU\ LV ULJKW ´ VDLG %DUUDJDQ :KHQ they (ANA personnel) get a MOD 14 (request paperwork) or a MOD 9 (issue paperwork) she makes sure they are properly processed. She makes the ANA do inventory first, then she double-checks their numbers. Although she did not exactly know what to expect with this job, she was impressed with what she saw when she got on the ground in Dec. 2011. The $1$ KDYH EHHQ GRLQJ DPPXQLWLRQ IRU \HDUV ³:KHQ , JRW KHUH , ZDV WKLQNLQJ ¾WKH\ DUH SUHWW\ JRRG œ´ 6KH was impressed by the layout and design of the ASP, which was put in place by her predecessor, who was an Army Maj. For some, it may not seem practical to have a female adviser on an all-male base, but for ammunitions experts in the region, Barragan is it. Her supervisor, U.S. Army Maj. Edwin J. Marcelino, the chief of the Logistics Training Advisory Team for RSC-W thinks that being a female adviser gives her an edge. ³6KH LV D JUHDW QRQFRPPLVVLRQHG RIILFHU D UHDO JR JHWWHULQ WHUPV RI KHU MRE FRPSHWHQFH LQ KHU RFFX
Army Staff Sgt. Sabrina A. Barragan, an ammunition specialist and mentor for Regional Support Command-West's Logistics Training and Advisory Team checks on the progress of the assortment and storage of a new ammunition shipment at the Camp Zafar Afghan National Army ammunition supply point July 11. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO
SDWLRQDO VSHFLDOW\ VKH NQRZV WKDW LQVLGH DQG RXW ´ VDLG Marcelino. He also explained that previous mentors have done a lot to develop the ammunition handling capabilities of the ANA, but he can see a lot of imSURYHPHQW VLQFH WKH\ ILUVW KLW WKH JURXQG ³7KHUH LV D lot more organization now, their customer support is PXFK EHWWHU ´ The friendly greetings and handshakes by the ANA soldiers and instant updates being provided to Barragan on the particular day of the interview, July 11, suggests that they get along well and have mutual respect for each other. Barragan, being a good noncommissioned officer, also tries to make sure that basic necessities, like having plenty of drinking water, are met. She arrives to almost every visit with cases of bottled water, she said. Since she is a mother of two, she has a soft spot in her heart for children. She often sends candy home with the ANA soldiers to their children. ³6KH LV D YHU\ SURILFLHQW PHQWRU VKH LV YHU\ SURIHVVLRQDO DQG WDXJKW XV D ORW RI QHZ WKLQJV ´ VDLG Afghan National Army Spc. Tajuddin Badroz, through an interpreter. He has worked at Zafar since 1385 on the Solar Hejri calendar, 2006 on the Gregorian calenGDU ³:H OHDUQHG D ORW IURP WKH SUHYLRXV PHQWRUV HDFK one of them has done their part. She taught us how to
10
be professional when the units come here getting ammo. She was always here helping us and we learned how to stack properly and how to be more acFRXQWDEOH LQ LVVXLQJ DQG UHFHLYLQJ WKH VKLSPHQWV ´ said Badroz. The noncommissioned officer in charge of the ASP, ANA Master Sgt. Enauatullah Gigarkhun, also VSRNH KLJKO\ RI %DUUDJDQ ³6KH NQRZV WKH EXVLQHVV she knows the job very well and she helps us track the DPPR WKH ERRNV DQG VWDFNLQJ WKH ER[HV ´ KH VDLG through a translator. Gigarkhun did not receive formal ammunition handling training, all he knows he learned from the Russian military and lately from his coalition mentors, like her. Barragan is a thorough individual and cares a lot about proper procedures and putting systems in place. She would like to expedite the workflow by sending some of the ASP personnel to computer literacy classes, she said. But besides being kind and caring, she also knows where to draw the line and put her foot down DQG VD\ ¾QR œ ³$W WLPHV LI WKHUH LV D PHQWRU KHUH WKH\ $1$ H[SHFW WKH PHQWRU WR GR HYHU\WKLQJ ´ VKH VDLG
³, DP WKH URXJK RQH RQ WKHP\RX JX\V DUH GRLQJ LW , DP KHUH PDNLQJ VXUH \RX DUH GRLQJ LW ULJKW ´ VKH RIWHQ points out, she said. ³,I , ZDV WR OHDYH QRZ , WKLQN WKH\ ZRXOG EH fine. They have it; they know what they are doing. 7KH\ FDQ GR HYHU\WKLQJ RQ WKHLU RZQ ´ VDLG %DUUDJDQ about the ANA ammunition operations. She is grateful that she had this opportunity to work with ANA and coalition partners; however her work is not yet done. With approximately five months left in her deployment, she will now have to tackle the ANP side of the house. ³6KHœV JRW SUREDEO\ WKH PRVW FULWLFDO DGGLWLRQDO GXW\ ´ VDLG 0DUFHOLQR +H VDLG %DUUDJDQ NQRZV KHU job inside and out, and he sees a lot of potential in her. ³6RPH 6ROGLHUV PDNH JUHDW DGYLVHUV VRPH GRQœW 6KH is more of the former, she makes a great adviser beFDXVH RI KHU SHUVRQDOLW\ ´ VDLG 0DUFHOLQR The ASP where Barragan advises the ASP in RSC-: LV SDUW RI WKH $1$œV )RUZDUG 6XSSO\ 'HSRW under the Regional Logistics Support Command-West at Camp Zafar, Herat, is currently scheduled to transition over to the ANA in the second part of 2014.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sabrina A. Barragan, an ammunition specialist and mentor for Regional Support Command-West's Logistics Training and Advisory Team, shows NATO Training Mission Afghanistan Deputy Commander of Support Operations Chief of Staff, German Army Col. Karl Habel and NTM-A DCOM-SPO Command Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Parham the progress being made in the Afghan National Army's ammunition supply point at Camp Zafar, Herat Province, Afghanistan July 9. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO 11
Afghan National Army takes over 73 buildings at Shorabak By Bill Putnam, RSC RSC--Southwest Public Affairs CAM P SHORABAK, Afghanistan ¹ Two snips of ribbon is all it took to show the Afghan National $UP\œV th Maiwand Corps had control of 73 buildings. A short ceremony formally marked the transfer here July 1. By the end of the calendar year approximately 400 buildings will be controlled and maintained by the 215th Corps, which is also headquartered on the camp. ³7RGD\ WKLV ceremony is about the transition, the building transition and 215th Corps for the Afghan National Army Gen. Sayeed Malook, the commander of the 215th Maiwand Corps, and U.S. Marine Corps (Garrison Support Maj. Gen. David Berger, the commander of 1st Marine Division (Forward), cut the ribbon signifying transition of 73 buildings to Afghan control on Camp Shorabak, Helmand Province, July 1, 2012. The ceremony marked the first of 8QLW EDVH ´ VDLG four phases to transition all buildings to Afghan-led maintenance. U.S. Army Photo by Bill Putnam, RSC-SW PAO ANA Col. Jamal th Khan, the 215 Corps arriving last November. One of his tractors and Afghans, and then transidirector of the department of public advisors was Staff Sgt. Jeffery Mays, tioning the buildings was challenging, works, through a translator. Hamilton said. Overcoming language also from Fort Benning, Ga. U.S. Army Capt. David Hambarriers, hiring contractors, obtaining +HœV EHHQ ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WKH ilton, the executive officer of the Infracontractors and ANA leadership who tools for and training them, had to be structure Training Advisory Group, worked through before the transition will work on the buildings. After the Regional Support Command Southceremony, everything will be done by could happen, he said. west said, this first transition is an im³7KH ORFDWLRQ ZHœUH LQ LV YHU\ the Afghans, Mays said. portant one for the ANA. DXVWHUH ´ +DPLOWRQ VDLG ³%XW ZHœYH Mays and his team have specifically ³7KLV LV WKH ILUVW DQG JHWWLQJ trained the Afghan contractors to take been able to do a lot of hard work and them into the first is, I think, the most luckily our partners are willing to do a over the plumbing, electrician and important because now they see they other types of maintenance the build- lot of hard work to make us successcan do it and gain the confidence and IXO ´ ings will require. in the end will create momentum that Also attending the ceremony ³(YHU\WKLQJ IURP FKDQJLQJ ZRQœW EH DEOH WR EH VWRSSHG ´ H[ was U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. plained Hamilton, who is stationed at lights to doors that broke to sinks that David Berger, the commanding gen)RUW %HQQLQJ *D ³,I SUREOHPV DULVH EUHDN ODWULQHV ´ 0D\V QRWHG st eral of the 1 Marine Division WKH\œOO EH DEOH WR ZRUN WKURXJK WKHP ³(YHU\WKLQJ WKDW FDQ JR ZURQJ LQVLGH D (Forward) and ANA Gen. Sayeed 7KDWœV ZKDW ZH UHDOO\ ZDQW WR VHH KDS building, these students have been Malook, the commander of the 215th SHQ KHUH ´+DPLOWRQ DQG KLV WHDP KDYH WUDLQHG KRZ WR IL[ ´ Corps. been working with the Afghans since The mission of training con12
RSC RSC--SW helps 215th Maiwand Corps with supply convoy By Bill Putnam, RSC RSC--Southwest Public Affairs After the inCAM P SHORABAK, Afghanistan ¹ ventory is completed A large supply conthe 215th &RUSVœ EUL voy arrived here at gades will have to the Afghan National request supplies $UP\œV )RUZDUG based on a list drawn up by the various Supply Depot July 6. sections of the FSD. The convoy of a few dozen trucks ³:HœOO JLYH came from the WKHP D OLVW RI ZKDWœV $1$œV 1DWLRQDO RQ KDQG VR WKH\œUH Supply Depot from QRW EOLQGLQJ DVNLQJ ´ Kabul with supplies U.S. Air Force Capt. to help the 215th MaiAmanda Davis, a ZDQG &RUSVœ RSHUD medical logistics adtions during the anvisor with the MediAfghan National Army 1st Lt. Shafikullah, a medical logistician with the 215th nual fighting season cal Training AdviMaiwand Corps, talks with U.S. Air Force Capt. Amanda Davis, a medical logisand for the training sory Group, RSCtics advisor with Medical Training Advisory Group, Regional Support Command Southwest, during a medical supply offload at the Forward Supply Depot on next door at the ReSW.One part of the Camp Shorabak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 7, 2012. The supplies gional Military shipment was mediwere part of a major push of supplies to the 215th Maiwand Corps from a supTraining Center cal supplies. ply center in Kabul. Photo by Bill Putnam RSC-SW PAO Southwest. Davis, who is Humvee engines, medical supplies, spare parts, deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., worked uniforms and equipment for RMTC-SW, vehicle fluids, with ANA 1st Lt. Shafikullah, the medical logistics offibunk beds, even fire-fighting equipment arrived from cer for the 215th, and his soldiers to get the supplies offKabul, said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Scott Taylor, a loaded. logistics advisor with Regional Logistics Supply Center, The types of medical supplies delivered from Regional Support Command Southwest. Kabul were based on an Authorized Stockage List, Davis The ANA soldiers assigned to the FSD unloaded H[SODLQHG ³7KH\œUH VHQGLQJ GRZQ VXSSOLHV WKH\ NQRZ everything and managed the whole process, noted Tay- WKDW ZH QHHG IRU WKH ILJKWLQJ VHDVRQ ´ 'DYLV H[SODLQHG lor, who is deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 7KH VXSSOLHV ZLOO SXW WKH ³)6' DW -SHUFHQW VWRFN ´ Wash. It took about four days to off load and put in the she said. warehouses, said U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Chris As the stock levels drop, Shafikullah can see Howard, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of ZKDW WKH\ QHHG ³,WœV D VWDUWLQJ SRLQW ´ VKH VDLG RI WKH GH the FSD advisors. livery.For the medical side Davis said this is the first big After everything is offloaded from the trucks, the SXVK RI ZKDW ZDV QHHGHG ³7KH PHQWRUV DQG $1$ SXW ANA will handle the inventory and the U.S. service their brains together and came up with a list of what they PHPEHUV ZLWK 5/6& ZLOO EH KHUH WR RIIHU JXLGDQFH LI LWœV QHHGHG DV IDU DV WKHLU FDSDELOLWLHV ´ VKH H[SODLQHG needed, Howard said. The delivery was also the first time a majority of Taylor said everything will be matched up to the supplies were put in a soon-to-be opened FSD here. ZKDWœV RQ WKH LQYHQWRU\ VKHHWV VHQW GRZQ ZLWK WKH FRQ The medical supplies were offloaded into new warevoy from Kabul. A liaison officer will verify the count of houses on Camp Shorabak. what was on the convoy with the ANA and start match³, NQHZ ,œG SXW VWLII LQ WKHP MXVW QRW WKLV IDVW ´ LQJ XS UHTXHVWV IURP WKH EULJDGHV ³$QG WKHQ LWœOO JR said U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Joe Strumolo, a logistics RXW ´ 7D\ORU VDLG 7KH\ PLJKW QHHG KHOS WR LGHQWLI\ VXS advisor with the Regional Logistics Support Center, Replies in the trucks, Howard noted. gional Support Command Southwest. 13
Vehicle maintenance course graduates 37 students By Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC RSC--North PAO CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan Âą Nearly 40 Afghan Na-
heavy construction equipment,
Corps that will be based out of
diesel powered Ford Rangers
Camp Shaheen when it stands
tional Army soldiers graduated a and many other vehicles which four-month vehicle maintenance the ANA uses. course at Training Sustainment
up later this year. Fred Youngs, a contrac-
Âł(YHU\WKLQJ ZDV DPD]LQJ tor who helped teach the class,
Site Shaheen, Balkh Province,
, OHDUQHG D ORW ´ VDLG $1$ 6JW
also spoke at the graduation
June 20.
Abdul Rahim, through an inter-
ceremony.
³7KDQN \RX IRU VHQGLQJ The ANA were trained by SUHWHU ³, OHDUQHG KRZ WR IL[ HQ members of the Logistics Train- gines and other (types) of main- XV VXFK H[FHSWLRQDO VROGLHUV ´ ing Advisory Team and contrac- WHQDQFH ´ Rahim has been in the tors based at Camp Spann.
he said to the ANA generals and RIILFHUV ZKR ZHUH SUHVHQW Âł7KLV
is the best class I have been a The soldiers learned how Afghan army for nearly a year and expects to work for the ANA SDUW RI ´ to fix Humvees, semi-trucks, Regional Logistics Sustainment Bellow: Afghan National Army Private Shajan, shows his certificate of completion of his class mates during a graduation ceremony of a vehicle maintenance course at Training Sustainment Site Shaheen June 20. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger
Above: Students and their instructors pile onto a bulldozer used by the Afghan National Army for a group picture after the class graduated June 20. The four-month course at Training Sustainment Site Shaheen June teaches students how to fix the vehicles used by the ANA. Photo bY U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC-N/NTM-A PAO
14
Camp Shaheen Barracks Transfer Summary by Air force Staff Sgt. James Bollinger, RSC-North PAO
CAM P M I KE SPANN, Afghanistan Âą The Afghan National Army assumed responsibility for an $8 million building project from the United States Army Corps of Engineers June 27 at Camp Shaheen, Balkh Province. The project included 13 buildings, water distribution lines, sewer lines, overhead and underground electrical lines, communications lines, 18 bunkers, surfaced roads and 9 trash collection points. While the project took
Afghan Col. Mohammed Salim, the 209th Afghan National Army Corps head facility engineer, signs documents to assume control of barracks facilities at Camp Shaheen June 27. Rafael Villegas, an End User Monitor Team member deployed to Spann, explains which each document, means. There is one copy in Dari and one copy in English. Photo by U. S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC-N/NTM-A PAO
more than a year to complete, it was signed over to the ANA by the paperwork and the colonel signed End User Monitor Team, based at both the Dari and English copies. Camp Spann, in little more than an
The documents were also
classrooms, laundry facilities and administration offices. There is no timeline on occupying the build-
hour.
signed by Col. Robin Fontes, the
After completing a walkthrough of
Regional Support Command North
the site, Afghan Col. Mohammed
commander, and copies of each
builds planned for Camp Shaheen,
Salim, the 209th Corps head facili-
were delivered to Salim.
and both are scheduled to be trans-
ties engineer, and Rafael Villegas,
The 1st Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 209th ferred to Afghan control by the end
an EUM team member, reviewed
Corps is scheduled to occupy the
of 2012. Both projects will benefit
building which includes, barracks,
the 209th Corps expansion.
15
ings. There are two other similar
Volunteers conduct outreach Photos and summary by Air force Staff Sgt. Marcel Ramos, Munitions Combat Advisor CHIMTALLAH, Afghanistan - On July 5, 15 members of the Operation Outreach (OOA) chapters of Camp Phoenix and the Kabul International Airport distributed food, clothing, toys, blankets, fuel pucks, and school supplies to the community the village of Chimtallah. With almost three months of planning and collaboration with the local Afghan National Army, coalition forces were able to understand what villagers need the most and collect the resources required to make this operation a success. OOA was able to collect over 2,000 articles of clothing, over 300 pounds of food, 800 stuffed animals, and enough school supplies to meet the needs of over 90 Afghan students. One of the fundamental keys to the success of the Chimtallah humanitarian effort was the production of over 600 fuel pucks. The fuel pucks were given out to village elders to distribute among their community. The preparation for the Chimtallah effort started back in May with OOA members and Chimtallah ANA expressing interest in helping the local community, and in particular targeting the needs of the children in the village. Almost immediately members got to work, acquiring items that were designated as
priorities. Goods from KAIA and Camp Phoenix were transported and stored by combat munitions advisors over the course of six weeks. During the morning of preparation, volunteers sorted and packaged the toys and school supplies by gender, size, and age group. With the help of the ANA and the security kandak, the staging point for the handout was set up just outside the village with hordes of laughing children and grateful parents. Children came through the gate ten at a time and were greeted by volunteers who handed out candy, while the kids were able to sort through clothing, and given school supplies. The interpreters working with OOA were able to help single-out villagers that needed additional items such as blankets, and foot wear. The operation lasted for three hours and rendered assistance to over 500 villagers. 16
Regional Training Center Konduz transfers to Afghan hands By Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC RSC--North PAO CAM P M I KE SPANN, Afghanistan Âą Regional Support Command - North transferred $28.5 million Regional Training Center Konduz, Konduz Province, to the Afghan National Police June 28 in a ceremony at the RTC. Âł:LWK WKH FORVXUH RI 57& Konduz, the ANP training staff has been transferred to other Police Training centers in the north. They will continue to train new police recruits at their new locations, thus al-
Col. Robin Fontes, the Regional Command ² North commander, presents a certificate to an
lowing the training centers to sustain
Afghan National Policeman at Regional Training Center Konduz, Konduz Province, June 28,
WKH UHTXLUHG IRUFH OHYHOV ´ VDLG &RO
during a transfer ceremony. The RTC is scheduled to be signed over to Afghan forces in July. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC-N/NTM-A PAO
Robin Fontes, the RSC-North commander. The RTC, which was home to German and DYNCOR police mentors, trained thousands of Afghan Uniform Police, a branch of the Afghan National Police, over the eight years it was run by NATO Training Mission Âą Afghanistan members. Recently, as many as 23 German military trainers were present at the site. They are scheduled to return home in July and August. The ceremony was a chance for American and German forces to recognize top performers in their units as well as in the Afghan force.
Certificates of appreciation were
User Monitor officer in charge.
handed out by both units. The Af-
The congressionally ap-
ghan contingent presented traditional pointed EUM team handles all transpresents to the German commanders
fers of real property for RSC-North.
and Fontes.
The site will not be used as a training
The last graduation at RTC
center after the official transfer. Ac-
Konduz was June 12 and many of the cording NMT-A J-3 officials, it will Afghan trainers will shift over to the
become a Ministry of Interior supply
German Police Training Center near
point.
the RTC to continue training. The official transfer of RTC
RTC Konduz will be the third RTC transferred by RSC-N since
Konduz, when RSC-N personnel will May, leaving only one training site to sign the training site over to the
be transferred to the Afghans, Train-
Afhgans, is scheduled for July, but
ing Sustainment Site Shaheen in
could happen as late as September,
Balkh Province.
said Capt. Chris Gomez, the End 17
From around the battlefield
Bellow: Cpl. Brandi D. Anderson, a human resources specialist with DCOM-SPO J1 processes awards. She won the Noncommissioned Officer of the Month Board for NATO Training Mission Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan at Camp Eggers July 3.By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMSPO/NTM-A PAO
Above: Regional Support Command - Capital joins the Kabul Police District 5 Commander, Maj. Jawad Ahmad, for a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 18. The ribbon cutting celebrates the completion of $200,000 in facility construction including a new two-story administrative and barrack facility, a new latrine facility, an entry control point and utility upgrades. Pictured left to right are: RSC-C Commander Col. Marlin Remigio, RSC-C Afghan National Police Engineer Capt. Luke Donovan, PD 5 Commander Maj. Jawad Ahmad, and the Karim Ebad Construction Company lead representative, Mr. Shaker. Courtesy Photo Right: U.S. Marine Corps Col. Roderick T. Arrington, former commander of Regional Support Command-West visits remote Afghan National Army combat outpost at Sobzak Pass in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, June 1. The elevation at this location is approximately 8000 feet above sea level. Courtesy Photo
18
From around the battlefield
Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Mussa Wardak, (Center), the ANA surgeon general, inspects medical supplies in the emergency room at the ANA hospital on Camp Shaheen, Balkh Province, Afghanistan, July 6. Wardak visited with the doctors and nurses in each section of the hospital. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, RSC-North PAO Bellow: Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Huston, the command sergeant major for Regional Support Command-West, pins the sergeant UDQN RQ 6JW .HQGDOO 7UD\ORU路V KDG during a promotion ceremony July 1, at Camp Stone, Herat, Afghanistan. Traylor deployed to Afghanistan in December of 2011 from )RUW +RRG路V WK ([SHGLWLRQDU\ Sustainment Command. Courtesy Photo
Sgt. Kendall Traylor, a human resources specialist, receives a battlefield promotion on July 1, with a little bit of U.S. Marine Corps traditions mixed into the ceremony by Regional Support West Commander Col. Roderick T. Arrington (with his back) Traylor works as a personnel clerk at Camp Stone, Herat Province, Afghanistan. He was put in for it by his noncommissioned officer in charge, Sgt. 1 st Class Antonio DeLeon. Traylor was recommended for the battlefield promotion because DeLeon believed Traylor is a outstanding Soldier and when he need work done Traylor got the job done to standard and on time to accomplish the mission and to take care of all the other Soldiers in the Regional Support Command-West. Courtesy Photo 19
C AMP Z AFAR TRAINING CENTER GRADUATES 60 NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS S T O R Y B Y U. S . N A V Y L T . D A V I D P. V A R N E Y R S C W/NTM-A UNIT PUBLIC HERAT, Afghanistan Âą Regional Military Training Center-West (RMTC-W) graduated 60 Afghan National Army noncommissioned officers (NCOs) from its NCO Battle Course July 18. Regional Support Command West (RSC-W) Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Huston, along with RMTC-W leadership and its coalition advising team attended the ceremony to honor and congratulate the newest graduates of the course. The graduating NCOs made quite an impression on +XVWRQ ZKR VDLG Âł,WÂśV D UHDO honor to be here at the RMTCW graduation ceremony. Seeing these young men move from
Honor graduates from the Noncommissioned Officer Battle Course (NCOBC) at Regional Military Training Center- West (RMTC-W) in Herat, Afghanistan, proudly display their certificates at their graduation ceremony July 18 at Camp Zafar, Herat, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney, Regional Support Command-West/NTM-A Unit Public Affairs Representative
being soldiers to noncommisVLRQHG RIILFHUV LV WUXO\ LQVSLULQJ ´ The newly-promoted ANA sergeants completed the physically and mentally challenging eight-week course, that focuses on the advanced leadership and tactical skills necessary to become squad leaders and eventually platoon sergeants. Subjects include literacy, advanced weapons training and counterinsurgency, culminating in a four -day field exercise. These newly acquired skills, according to Huston, will be invaluable in the days ahead. ³7KHVH 1&2V DUH WDNLQJ RQ D leadership role in an army at war, and there is no doubt they will soon be back into the fight. 20
It takes a brave young man to assume this responsibility. 7KHVH QHZ ¾%UHHGPDQœ 1&2V will be the next chapter in NCO OHDGHUVKLS LQ WKH $IJKDQ $UP\ ´ said Huston. Regional Support Command-West falls under NATO Training Mission ¹ Afghanistan which is a coalition of 38 troopcontributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com