A British mentor at the Infantry Branch School in Darul Aman (Kabul) works one-on-one with an Afghan solder training as a sharpshooter July 12, 2011. In the foreground, a French soldier works on his skills as well. The training, conducted by Afghan officers and NCOs is part of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan's focus to professionalize the Afghan National Security Force. Select the photo for a high resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Infantry Branch School live fire: July 5, 2011

I produced this video after my trip to the Infantry Branch School in Darul Aman (Kabul) where they held a live fire training exercise with mortar and SPG-9 teams. Pay close attention to who was leading this event and you'll notice it was conducted by Afghan National Army officers and non-commissioned officers. They planned it, they executed it and debriefed students following training. It's a major step toward ANSF self-sufficiency. (Video by G. A. Volb)

Three years of changes

Afghan Sgt. Maj. Gholam Nabi, chief instructor for the school's mortar division, instructs a member of a mortar team July 5, 2011, during a live fire session. Click on the photo for the high resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

An Afghan instructor teaches SPG-9 use to students July 5, 2011 at the Infantry Branch School in Darul Aman (Kabul). Click on the photo for a high resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Back in 2008 when I touched down for the first time in Afghanistan I began spending quite a lot of time covering the coalition effort on the ground training the Afghan National Security Force -- the national army and police. The vast majority of that training was being conducted by members of the 3o-plus nations who provided trainers.

Regular visits to training centers throughout the Kabul area stressed, at the time, that in its infancy the ANSF was not prepared to provide instruction to soldiers and police by themselves. In fact, I was hard pressed to find any frontline trainers who wore the Afghan uniform. It simply wasn't a visual anyone would see regardless of the instruction being presented.

Today, however, some three years later and less than two years following the standup of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, the vast majority of trainers seen on ranges and in school houses are, in fact, Afghan. This is a major success story in itself as the NTM-A mission has been focused on ensuring the ANSF is self-reliant when it comes to instruction within its own ranks.

From a journalist's perspective it's actually quite difficult these days to find coalition trainers on the frontlines. It's more likely they are sitting back, observing the execution of training requirements by their Afghan counterparts and providing insight to help better professionalize delivery. This was made abundantly clear during my last trip to the Infantry Branch School in Darul Aman (Kabul). British, French and Mongolian trainers looked on as training -- planned and coordinated by Afghan officers and non-commissioned officers -- was handled without a hitch.

Again, this is less than two years since NTM-A stoodup here and as British Maj. Brian O'Neill told me as he watched SPG-9 and mortar students learning their trade, "The actual school itself has progressed quite significantly. When we arrived we were very much leading the ANA in how to conduct the practices. But now all that's happening is we're taking a monitoring stance as the instructors have really blossomed, and as a result, they conduct all the ranges by themselves and we just really take back and provide a bit of advice and try to professionalize the instructors to sort of take the weapons systems a little bit further and improve the quality of the training. It's quite impressive because some of these kandaks are over 120 strong for each weapons system, but the ANA very much organize the training by themselves, they set it up and they conduct it and then they conduct debriefs at the end before taking the students back to camp."

O'Neill, chief mentor for the heavy weapons wing at the school, had much praise for the Afghan soldiers and trainers -- and similar feedback has come my way at various other sites throughout the city. And this should not be lightly accepted as institutionalizing such training is one of the most difficult challenges any fledgling security force faces early. The fact that the ANA and ANP is doing so during an ongoing war is quite phenomenal, in my opinion.

Afghan Industrial Capacity jump-started by NTM-A

Examples of Afghan workers building or working in new industrial facilities in Kabul. (Photos by G. A. Volb)

It's all about the economy folks! We've heard it all before -- and in Afghanistan it's no different. Improve industrial capacity, put people back to work and the hold extremist organizations have on the population diminishes.

NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan is doing its part to rebuild the industrial capacity here. New industry, initially in support of Afghan security force needs, will undoubtedly diversify and lead to production of commercial goods for local and international consumption.

This is no easy task given the decades of war that ravished the economy here, but successes are visible. These photos show only a few shining examples of what can happen if the right folks help provide a road map by which to build from. And in the end, it makes little difference what the motivation is to rebuild industry since, once enabled, it'll take off on its own.

It is simply unrealistic to think that such an enterprise would take five to 10 years when it took nearly 30 to deconstruct. Patience, here of all places, is a virtue. Stay the course or return in another 10 to 15 years to readdress what should have been dealt with today.

Assuming the partnered members continue to support such endeavors, I think time will prove what a truly masterpiece the effort was.

The Mutli-National Mission that is NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan

What is truly a multi-national effort in Afghanistan, here are trainers from France, New Zealand and Portugal mentoring Afghan trainers to ensure they're ready to take on the job independently.

True, the vast majority of troops currently on the ground are U.S. and British, but the team effort focused on professionalizing the Afghan military and police includes some 32 nations. The result of which, it's hoped, will prevent the nation from sliding back into the extremist safe haven of years past. And that, I would argue, is the motivation behind such a coalition effort -- as each country realizes a return to such a past will affect their national security as well.

Photos above were taken on Kabul Military Training Center.

Afghan National Army NCO training

New Afghan National Army non-commissioned officer recruits train under the Turkish Army contingent here in Kabul. Half way through their coursework, they take an oath to their country and God. (Photos by G. A. Volb)

Education behind closed doors

A young Afghan girl awaits school supplies from behind the safety of her classroom door. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Afghan National Civil Order Police deliver

Six-year-old Sirya looks on as her classmates receive school supplies from Afghan National Civil Order Police members Oct. 7 in Kabul. Not sure what to make of it all, she sat on the window ledge outside her school room sucking on her fingers. Later, when she too received supplies she said she likes the "notebooks and pencils." (Photo by G. A. Volb)

A young school boy fixes his gaze to the school supplies in the hand of an Afghan Civil Order Police member. ANCOP members delivered supplies to his school Oct. 7 in Kabul. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Afghan school girls wait for supplies being handed out by members of the Afghan Civil Order Police Oct. 7 at Amir Dost Muhammad Khanmore school in Kabul. The children literally risk their lives for a better education. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The dingy-yellow structure sat 50-feet off the main highway with two stories of classrooms darkened due to a lack of light fixtures – heavily-armed guards patrolled the grounds protecting grade schoolers attending the school.

From the windows peered the faces of children, preteen and older, girls and boys, all willing to risk their lives for a better future through education. The local Afghan National Civil Order Police contingent, willing to do its part to ensure the school’s success, arrived with thousands of dollars worth of school supplies.

What began as a community relations venture between coalition mentors and their Afghan National Civil Order Police counterparts in April, now stood ready to go nationwide following donations to the school here Oct. 7.

ANCOP representatives handed out pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, glue sticks, and crayons to the student population of Amir Dost Muhammad Khanmore. It was the first of its kind, according to coalition mentors, since the entire program was planned and executed by Kabul’s Afghan Civil Order Police.

Such ventures by Afghan National Security Force components look to make a difference in communities, build relationships and improve their own credibility among citizens.

“We began the program seven months ago,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Brian Garbinski, senior enlisted advisor to ANCOP, “but this trip marked the first executed entirely by the civil order police. They’re essentially self-sufficient now.”

Garbinski said they try to make up to three visits to different provinces delivering school supplies and clothing each month, but always stop by the Amir Dost School because they consider it ground zero for the program.

ANCOP Commander Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sharif Amin wants to see “every student with, not just one notebook for all of their courses, but one for each class.

“Our people, especially the students, are always happy to receive school supplies that help further their education,” said Sharif, “but we’re also delivering clothing, medical supplies and food when we can. I want to see similar efforts in Gardez, Herat, Kandahar and Helmand too, not just Kabul.”

First-grader Sirya wasn’t quite sure what to make of all the goodies being dropped off at her school as she stood on a ledge behind a broken window screen – but she knew what she likes.

“I like the notebooks,” the six year old said shyly, fingers in her mouth, “and the pencils too.” Her reaction was typical of the children, and exactly what ANCOP was hoping for.

“This shows the people of Afghanistan that ANCOP cares about their future,” said Garbinski, originally from Union, New Jersey. “Such programs help build trust and respect between both parties.”

As the students ran off into their classes, their hands full of supplies, smiles could be seen from behind the warped, discolored windows of the school house. A simple gesture by ANCOP had, seemingly, made a difference in the lives of the people they serve.

Afghan human rights hinges on national security

Everything, to include human rights progress, hinges on the ability of the Afghan government to provide security for the nation.

Prof. Ashraf Rasuli, legal advisor to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said it was a crucial piece to the puzzle during the “Islam and Human Rights” symposium held here Sept. 20.

The professor shared his insight with 40-plus members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior Legal Affairs Department, representatives of the Afghan Civil Order Police or ANCOP, and members of the coalition effort. Dignitaries attending included: Afghan Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahim Shuja, chief of legal affairs; and Maj. Gen. Abdul Masoud Ragheb, chief of the inspector general’s office.

Since taking office President Karzai has initiated a government commission to deal with human rights issues at the national level, working issues through the judiciary system and ANP resources, plus Afghanistan has agreed to international human rights declarations.

"Islam,” emphasized Rasuli, “provides for the welfare of Muslims … essentially regulations governing an Islamic society."

The slight of build, grey-haired professor suggested that as security improves and the Afghan government matures, so will its ability to address human rights issues; to include social and political rights.

“Nobody,” he emphasized, “has the power to strip another of their basic human rights – to live freely, to work and to provide for their family. And we will not accept any law contrary to the religion of Islam.”

Ministry of Interior Messaging

In preparing senior Afghan Ministry of Interior leadership to respond to international concerns relating to the war, members of the MOI Public Information staff prepare news briefs ... a synopsis of ongoing events throughout the nation. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The MOI Public Information staff monitors radio traffic for issues they may want senior leaders to address. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Regional news is gathered for their information products. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The staff also monitors daily TV broadcasts for insight into national and international concerns. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Initially called on to work with members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior in developing their strategic communications program, I've been redirected ... exactly where at this point is unknown. Essentially, the office doesn't exist on their end, so no need to mentor the program.

What they have done, and I'm all in favor of the action, is wrapped up STRATCOM/PAO initiatives into one "directorate" known as Public Information. U.S. Department of Defense Public Affairs professionals would tell you that's exactly how it should be given nearly verbatim mandates for PAO and STRATCOM divisions. There should be no separation of focus ... if handled properly.

Simply put, if your PAO isn't executing what would be considered STRATCOM today, then he/she is not doing the job as intended.

Anyway, a small staff at the MOI handles gathering current issues, news, and international queries, then preps senior leadership for possible use in weekly addresses. The effort is a mainstay in the ministry's challenge of keeping Afghans (and the world) up to speed regarding government focus and initiatives.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Zemarai Bashary executes press briefs and responds to queries quite nicely by all accounts. And it's his staff of Public Information gurus that ensure he's ready to do so.

No doubt, this staff could use a bit more support in the way of high-end hardware, but they get the job done nonetheless. With all eyes on the war in Afghanistan, their mission of delivering the right messages in the appropriate format and to the right audiences is crucial to building support for the current Afghan government.

Day 362: ANA lead house-to-house training

Afghan national army soldiers wait for instruction on house-to-house searches. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

An Afghan national army instructor tells his troops how to prepare to enter a house. Select this photo for a high-resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

As part of the "entry team," this Afghan soldier secures the team's backside. Select this photo for a high- resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The ANA instructor shows a soldier how to position himself prior to entry into a home. Select this photo for a high-resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

It's been nearly a year since I set foot on Afghanistan soil back in May of 2008. It's been both a rewarding and frustrating 12 months, but one thing I'm sure of, the Afghans are slowly taking the lead both in the field during combat operations and on Kabul Military Training Center as instructors. 

This is no small feat, as it's a major step toward Afghans being able to provide for their nation's security.

First security, then economic development (which the coalition is aggressively "attacking" now), and then personal empowerment. The latter, in my opinion, the final step in creating a free Afghanistan in which its citizens have the opportunity to better their lives -- without the fear of oppression or violence from either internal or external forces.

And a free, productive Afghanistan is -- like that of Pakistan -- a must if we're to ensure peace prevails globally.   

Day 298: Welcome the M16

US Army SSgt. Seth Tenbrink, 34, from Roy, Utah, instructs new Afghan National Army recruits on M16 assembly, disassembly, and function checks. Tenbrink is a drill sergeant mentor with the Camp Alamo Mentor Group located on Kabul Military Training Center. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

US Army SFC John Schmidt, 38, from Lawton, Okla., goes over the M16 with a member of Kandak (Battalion) 102 at Kabul Military Training Center in Afghanistan. Schmidt is with the Camp Alamo Mentor Group's Basic Warrior Training branch. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

ANA Kandak receives first M-16s for field training

By G. A. Volb

Camp Alamo Public Affairs

CAMP ALAMO, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army recruit Mirza Budin, 24, sat with dozens of his fellow Kandak soldiers on the parade field, March 2, putting his new M16 through functional checks.

For much of the morning he leered at the weapon like a teen on his birthday, having received the one present he looked forward to getting.

Budin, a member of Kandak 102 here at the Kabul Military Training Center, is among the first to get the new rifles in hand during training. For their Kandak it was week seven and coalition mentors were busy explaining the nuances of the new weapon to them.

“I’m not sure yet, but I think it’ll be good,” said the clean-shaven soldier when asked what he thought about the addition. “Based on what I’ve been told, it’s a very good rifle, but I haven’t had an opportunity to shoot it yet. I’m looking forward to using it.”

As are the rest of the Kandak if the cheers let out during the training is any indication; but first things first – as training in the use and maintenance of the M16 is the most important aspect, according to instructors.

“Compared to the M16, AK-47s require little maintenance,” said Lt. Col. Sean Nikkila, KMTC Mentor Group Operations Officer. “They do not need to be cleaned as often, and are easy to handle. M16s require regular cleaning, which is a new concept to many of the ANA soldiers who are familiar with the AK-47.”

The 38-year-old officer from Tigard, Ore., said while the AK-47 is easier to maintain, they’re not very accurate.

“Only a very experienced marksman will be effective past 150 meters with the AK47,” said Nikkila. “M16s are very accurate for a moderately trained marksman to distances up to 350 meters or greater. This makes the M16 a very valuable weapon in terrain with large distances where ANA soldiers may be able to engage anti-coalition forces beyond the range of an AK-47 used by the enemy. M16s also use the standard 5.56mm NATO round. This allows the ANA to utilize ammunition provided by coalition countries that is of high quality and compatible with other NATO weapons.

These advantages aren’t lost on the ANA soldiers now roaming the training center ranges.

“Soldiers are impressed with the M16,” said Nikkila. “The rifles are in very good condition when compared to the AK-47s they had. Since the M16 has been in the US inventory for over 40 years, we have high quality training materials that have been well tested over the years.”

ANA instructor MSG Zabi Ullah said the major “challenge will be in getting accustomed to the weapon. They’ll need to get comfortable with it, but so far the response has been good from those receiving the rifle. I hope they remain positive.”

Zabi, a five-year veteran of the ANA, said Kandak 102 will soon get to use their new weapons in a comprehensive field training exercise. “To complete their training, the soldiers will take part in an exercise testing their ability to implement squad movements, ambush tactics and firing at night.”

To ensure the soldiers are ready for the test, Basic Warrior Training mentors include eight days of M16 specific training in their schedule.

“The biggest difference will be in the zeroing and qualification,” said Lt. Col. Bradley Perrier, BWT Senior Mentor. “With the M16, the soldiers are required to zero their weapon, and then qualify it. Each soldier has a different target and will know if they truly qualify. With the AK-47, the soldiers shot at the same targets previous soldiers fired on and really had no idea if they had effectively put a bullet in a silhouette. With the M16 they know without a doubt.”

While Kandak 102 was the first to receive their M16s, the swap out came in week seven. According to Perrier, Kandak 106 gets theirs in week two – right before Basic Rifle Marksmanship training begins.

“Up to this point the ANA soldiers have been extremely engaged,” said Perrier, from Whitehouse, Texas. “The soldiers were attentive and learned quickly.

Having already put their training to work on the range, soldiers from the 102^nd Kandak still remain optimistic.

Following his turn on the range zeroing in his weapon Private Nazif Ullah, 20, from Baghlan Province, said “We were familiar with the AK-47 … the resilience of it was good. We just received the M16 now and don’t know how tough it is, but after firing it I’d have to say it’s better than the AK-47.” His partner agreed.

“In my opinion the M16 is better than the AK-47 because I’ve fired both,” said Private Akhteyar Ahmad, 26, from Ningarhar Province. “I found the M16 better in marksmanship. I shot three rounds with the AK and didn’t’ hit the target at all. I shot three with the M16 and hit the target twice.” It makes for a good feeling for everyone involved.  

“They’re really excited about it,” said SFC John Schmidt, a 38 year old from Lawton, Okla.., and BWT mentor. “They’re more excited about this than anything else we’ve been teaching them up to this point.”