Day 252: Training in the mud

At their newly formed Forward Operation Base, an ANA officer discusses security requirements with his troops. (Photo by G. A. Volb/Select photo for hi-res version)

Members of the coalition training force set up a command post in order to track their ANA soldiers during their final battle field test before heading down range to join the ongoing fight with the insurgency. (Photo by G. A. Volb/Select photo for hi-res version)

By all accounts, the Afghans are indeed warriors. They've been fighting for decades and they know the lay of the land. 

Their ability to roam the mountains isn't lost on coalition mentors as they've seen them in action. Not much in the way of upper body strength typically, but they are aggressive hikers and climbers. 

Recently, in testing a Kandak's -- or battalion's -- ability to react to situations on the battle field the Mentor Group here held a Situational Training Exercise. Complete with all the specialties that would comprise an operational battalion, they were put through the paces of: 1) Reacting to a staged ambush, and 2) Setting up, securing and operating out of a forward operating base. 

It was a cold, nasty, muddy three or four days for the ANA soldiers. Yet, according to those observing their actions, they did quite a nice job. 

It's very early in the ANA development process -- it's a marathon for sure, so I caution our western partners to keep that in mind -- but minor successes continue as slowly, but surely, their tactics and ability to execute on the battle field improves. Much of the ongoing training has now been taken over by the ANA themselves and stories from the front point to more and more instances of the ANA leading the fight.

I asked my interpreter when it would get warm again; March he said. I asked only because I was glad I didn't have to trudge around the countryside and mountains training. That train left the station nearly 26 years ago for me. And I'm glad for it. 

Wild Art: Photography

Mud walls are the norm, with internal structures dividing up living space. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Rocks outline territory, whether family or village owned. Select this photo and you'll see an Afghan National Army troop standing guard on the small hill to the left. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The mule came first, then a motorcycle and then a U.S. armored vehicle. Select this photo and you'll notice the up-armored HMMWV to the right and Afghan National Army light vehicle on the hill for security. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Wooden doorways and window frames fill out the typical mud and brick home. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The Village Malik

The Malik, or elder of the village, speaks with members of the civil affairs team May 24 in Khowjagher. Khan Mohamed told the team his village is in dire need of a school house, new well and medical clinic. The team is going to try and get him the well and school house by year's end. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Khowjagher Village ruins

Mud and bricks are the primary building materials in this area. The landscape is littered with the remains of previous homes. These are in the town of Khowjagher, but only feet from these are new homes being built by the villagers. Now they're looking to add another well and school house for the children. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Day 7: The Mud

I don't think I'll ever look at a mound of dirt quite the same again since our trek to the village of Khowjagher about eight miles northeast of "home base." Prior to the mission, the planner briefed us of intelligence reports that a VBED (vehicle born explosive devise) was used along a main roadway we use quite often earlier that morning.

He said we should be watchful of roadside IEDs too. Though I'm not quite sure what that entails given the nature of the rubble strewn throughout the country.

In any case, we weren't going to take that road this particular morning he said, then adding calmly, "But you never know when it's coordinated attack day."

The trip to Khowjagher took us over potted, deep rutted roads -- and at one time through a mud village with high reaching walls and narrow allies that would have been perfect for an Indiana Jones movie set. Like an opening segment to a Tarantino special, our Afghan driver popped in his personal cassette and 2Live Crew erupted from the speakers of the vehicle as we bounced along the road.

Even so, I couldn't help but focus in on every mound of dirt, every mud structure that seemed out of place ... I watched the body language of everyone we passed. Some waved, some just stared. Everything, to me, seemed out of place -- especially me.

Once at the village we quickly met with the Malik or elder statesman, Khan Mohamed; he said they were in dire need of a school house, a well and a medical clinic. Dozens of children ran around acting like children do, they grabbed at my pens and tried to talk me out of my camera set in broken English.

After determining the makeup of the village (some 700 plus children and 200 families), our contingent determined it would be appropriate to try funding both the school and new well.

The Malik seemed happy, as were the rest who looked on, but showed some reservations as -- like we Americans -- he'll believe it when he sees it.

The proposal, if approved, should ensure he'll "see it" this October or November at the latest. At which time we will have made another believer, but until then any promises will be met with a healthy dose of skepticism.