Wow, this is a major good news story. I cannot even begin to express the significance of this act and what a huge leap forward this means. Granted that there were American advisers there and I am sure there was probably US air cover in the area along with other support. However this is a big deal with the Afghan police and army.
It is good news stories that give me hope.
arsicsouth7.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/afghan-national-police-and-army-work-together-to-save-the-day/
Category: Afghanistan Tour, Other Blogs
CPT Vanhalen
says:
I got news for some of you ETT’s that were here two or more years ago. The ANA and ANP often work together and work togehter well. They take it to the Taliban with and with out coalition support. Many Districts in Ghazni have Afghan Uniformed Police that take the fight to the Taliban in thier districts whether their mentors are there or not. The ANA are true professionals. They are warriors. Thier leadership analyses the enemy and terrain. I have fought with three different Afhgan Rifle Companys against the Taliban together with the ANP (I am a police mentor). Their Soldiers and Leaders are as good as any other Army in all the basics. I would fight at thier side any time or place. They have my trust and confidence. The NCO Corps of the AUP is the future of this force and the backbone. I am so proud to serve with them as thier mentor. I makes me wonder why some COIN experts would refer to these indiginous forces as “retarded 3rd graders”. I don’t know what thier experiences were, but nothing could be further from the truth. Thier are times when I get frustrated as hell trying to affect change, help the AUP inprove thier unit and stem corruption. There are Political forces, Economic forces, Cultural forces and not to mention the enemy that all influence by Distict. Dispite these frustations, I have a lot of respect for the men who put on thier countries uniform to make a change. They get little pay, no retirement and no disability yet they valiantly take the fight to the Taliban. Nuff Said.
Bouhammer
says:
VanHalen,
We have known each other for a long time, and as much as I value your opinion and what you have seen I would hope you also respect and trust that of many on my team. Ghazni soldiers have typically been the exception to the role as far as performance. They have had to just like the soldiers in 205 have had to be too. When they are faced with fighting every day for their lives then they cannot sit back and be lax, they have to step up. Those that dont and those that are without enough braincells fall by the side, like the Ghazni ANA soldier who blew himself up by putting out a joint inside an RPG round. I was very glad when you and the others got that area, becuase I knew you would have good troops. I spent several months fighting in the Ghazni AO, and I know that area well. However except for that area, the 205th, and many areas that are looking at Pakistan the soldiers are not quite up to the Ghazni standard. Corruption is still rampant everywhere however. Oh and one last thing, the Ghazni area is an area that is in its 3rd year of having mentors who are alumni of the 1/108th Mafia. Not sure if that makes a difference, but it makes you go hmmmmmmmmmm.