According to Sink, this is just the beginning. “In the future, as more vehicles are distributed, this will give them a greater level of protection and mobility than their current capability.” Sink continued by saying, “Brig. Gen. Hagyar was assigned the position as the provincial police chief about 5 months ago. Since then, he's taken an active role in redefining his ANP.”
Immediately after stepping into the police chief position, Hagyar began conducting battlefield circulation in order to understand the problems, strengths and weaknesses of the district-level police. “I see myself as Brig. Gen. Hagyar's mentor who assists him in his leadership and mgt of the 800-plus police officers in the prov.,” said Sink.
“We've gone beyond training basic tasks. We've developed ANP trainers,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Woods, the 4-319th AFAR command sgt. maj. “They can now assist in training other police officers completely apart from coalition assistance."
“The most common comment is how deeply we've penetrated their social circles,” said Woods. “We've essentially doubled down on the counterinsurgency fight by having the ANP take charge of their development. By abandoning many Western ideals and adopting Afghan ones, we were able to draw them in close with personal relationships.”
“At the district levels, we've partnered our 401st MP and paratroopers from Alpha Btry 4-319th with the district-level police,” said Woods. “These Police Combined Action Teams conduct the day-to-day partnering and combined action with the ANP, assisting in their development.”
To add an extra boost to the training program, they also use mobile training teams in both Logar and Wardak Provs., where a team of 5 Afghan soldiers go into the districts to focus more on the values, ethics, rule of law, mgt., and some advanced first aid.
“The fact that these ANP officers are the first to operate up-armored vehicles has greatly increased their social status,” said Woods. “Their position in the Afghan community has risen as well.”
Since Hagyar has become chief, he has re-established discipline within the org., by focusing on simple basic leadership skills, like wearing of the uniform, being at a place of duty, and taking responsibility for personal actions. Hagyar holds numerous events within his HQ that keep the org., focused on the priorities and tasks at hand. “These include weekly administrative, security and intel meetings that keep his staff informed, and allow him to give guidance on the ways ahead,” said Sink.
”The fact that we kept our classes full is a testament to the commitment of the Wardak Provincial Police HQ in getting their ANP trained to operate as a professional, capable force,” said Sink.
KIRKUK -- Just after completing a week-long cordon and search course senior-leadership with the KRGB, began the land navigation and map reading portion of a 3- month-long infantry course with U.S. Forces at their HQ in Laylan.
The training is being facilitated by Bravo Co, out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, currently deployed to FOB Warrior, Kirkuk.“They'll be able to plan a mission using terrain features and map reading, instead of going into an area blind,” Sgt. Benjamin Sparkman, said. “This is why it's very important they understand this training.”“While the KRGB soldiers are learning these fundamentals they're also learning a very important skill; teaching others,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Gonzalez. "Throughout the course the trainers have the KRGB soldiers assist in teaching the course," he said. “These senior leaders came to us to learn the fundamentals of being a soldier, so that they can share the fundamentals with their soldiers. In the end we expect all the KRGB to be on the same level,” said Staff Sgt. Gonzalez.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Buef, a squad leader, assists a KRGB soldier with correctly identifying a point on a terrain model, during land navigation training.
Sgt. Benjamin Sparkman tells a KRGB soldier "good job" after correctly identifying a point on a map.
KIRKUK -- The purpose of this meeting was to develop a concept for sharing info, which is vital to build and maintain security as U.S. forces continue to strategically withdraw from Iraq, according to Capt. Brian Canny, the cmdr of HHC, 1/14th who also attended the meeting.
The 15th BDE Cmdr, Brig. Gen. Amir, who has been in command for 3 months, stated since becoming a cmdr., he has made it his priority to bring all ISF together. "The only way the ISF will be able to capture all of the insurgents and their weapons, is if we all work together, no matter the ethnic or religious group," said the IA cmdr. This is why Amir and Ulrich are arranging to hold a meeting once a month for key leaders to share info on insurgents. Also to open the lines of communication for the 15th IA BDE, their partners the “Golden Dragons” are arranging for computers and internet for the command staff at the 15th IA BDE HQ.“The U.S. forces have always been great partners with the IA. With their help we'll now be able to build a better relationship with the IP and other IA brigades,” Amir said.
Lt. Col. Andrew Ulrich talks with the IA cmdr.
BAGHDAD -- “So much of what the Army is geared toward is targeting or improving the perception of, or reinforcing the GoI to their people, but for a few hours, on behalf of the American people, we blessed the lives of the Iraqi kids.”
Those words from Lt. Col. Vincent Barnhart, div. surgeon with 1st AR Div., describe the last 3 times his section has helped deliver children’s wheelchairs. “USD-C saw an opportunity where they could help,” said Brad Blauser, founder of the nonprofit org., Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids. “USD-C stepped in and assisted in running the wheelchair distribution event. After the first effort with USD-C, more volunteers came to the next event, held at the Liberty Field House on Camp Liberty.” Barnhart said, "the leadership of 1st AR Div. sees the wheelchair program as an opportunity to do great things for the Iraqi population. It's also an opportunity to rebuild the trust between the ISF and the Iraqi people. “The 1st AR Div. can help reinforce the IP and the IA’s standing with their citizens through the wheelchair events, as they take the lead on this outreach program,” he said. “The Iraqi children all come carried in, and they leave with mobility options. They go home in the wheelchairs they need, and we're able to influence these areas positively by building rapport between the IP, the IA and their local communities.” The div. surgeon’s section has adopted the wheelchair charity as one of their main outreach efforts. His "staff members are trained by Blauser on how to properly assemble and fit the wheelchairs to the needs of the children," Barnhart said."Most Iraqi parents don't have access to the specialty care they want for their children. They don't have the capacity to get quality medical wheelchairs, like the ones Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids delivers," Barnhart said.The future of the wheelchair program is bright. There's a nearly finished factory, where Army units can use their Cmdrs’ Emergency Relief Program funds to buy wheelchairs directly from the factory instead of having them shipped from the U.S. Blauser said he has made himself available as the subject matter expert on fitting the wheelchairs to the specific needs of the children who receive them. “I can train the troops on how the wheelchairs work and how to adjust them,” he said. “I can go down to the Ministry of Health and rehabilitation centers and teach those people how to adjust wheelchairs, too.” Blauser said he hopes the Iraqi Ministry of Health will join in on the charity effort, and buy wheelchairs.
An Iraq boy is fitted for a wheelchair by a team of adjusters, including Brad Blauser (top right), as the boy’s father and little sister look on.
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