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HomeMEDIANEWS ARTICLESNews Article View

# Task Force Southeast PART 3 of 5 – Training, Leader Development: Fundamental to Afghan National Security

By  Sgt. Christopher Dennis Resolute Support Headquarters

                GARDEZ, Afghanistan  –              
The mission of Task Force Southeast is to Train, Advise, and Assist the 203rd Corps of the Afghan National Army and the 303rd Zone of the Afghan National Police to retain key terrain, disrupt insurgent networks, generate combat power and increase their capabilities for future operations.

                An artillery crew from the Afghan National Army 203rd Thunder Corps conduct a live fire training on a D30 122mm Artillery weapon system at FOB Thunder in Gardez, Afghanistan. (Afghanistan National Army photo provided by 203rd Police Zone PAO.)                            D30 training                            An artillery crew from the Afghan National Army 203rd Thunder Corps conduct a live fire training on a D30 122mm Artillery weapon system at FOB Thunder in Gardez, Afghanistan. (Afghanistan National Army photo provided by 203rd Police Zone PAO.)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: 203rd Police Zone PAOVIRIN: 170405-O-XX999-001Put simply, TF Southeast works hand in hand with the Afghan National Defense Security Forces to improve their systems and increase their ability to maintain the long-term security of their nation.“Since assuming the lead for national security, the ANSDF have steadily improved their capabilities, but a focus on daily security operations naturally limits improvement in Army and Police capabilities,” said Maj. Jared Koelling, Training Advisor for the Military Advisory Team.This is one of the primary ways TF Southeast helps the Army and Police.“Training is essential to improving all aspects of ANDSF capability,” said Col. Kelly Ivanoff, Deputy Commander of TF Southeast, “ANDSF’s doctrine states that units improve enduring warfighting capability by training to fight and win at every echelon.” This vital training is measured in multiple ways, not just by numbers, but also in their capability to integrate with each other and achieve their goals. “Success in the training domain is not only measured in the number of soldiers and police trained or in the increase of the trainees’ capability and proficiency, but also in the ability of the Army and Police to work together to achieve collective security,” said Capt. Jonathan Kasprisin, Training Advisor for the Police Advisor Team of TF Southeast. To provide a challenging training environment designed to improve warfighting capabilities, TF Southeast advisors oversee the execution of Collective Training Cycles. “The 203rd Corps and 303rd Zone have completed five Collective Training Cycles in the past year,” said Capt. Cody Miller, Assistant Training Advisor to the MAT, “Each past iteration of the CTC trained four companies of the ANA and a platoon of Afghan National Civil Order Police. By training together, the relationship between the Army and Police improves and it increases confidence between the mutually-supporting security forces.” This training improves the ANDSF’s ability to shoot, move and communicate together. It is meant to be tough, realistic, and challenging in order to replicate the fight in which the ANDSF currently finds themselves.                 An Afghan National Army officer teaches ANA Soldiers about filling Electronic Warfare equipment under supervision of Staff Sgt. Justin Hood, Electronic Warfare Specialist for the Military Advisor Team of Task Force Southeast, during an Electronic Warfare training July 6 with Afghan National Army Soldiers of the 203rd Thunder Corps on AP Lightning. The purpose of the Train, Advise and Assist mission is to enable and develop the Afghan National Defense Security Forces with systems and processes that will continue to enable them into the future. (U.S. Army photo provided by Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis, 1st Cavalry Division PAO.)                            Afghans training Afghans                            An Afghan National Army officer teaches ANA Soldiers about filling Electronic Warfare equipment under supervision of Staff Sgt. Justin Hood, Electronic Warfare Specialist for the Military Advisor Team of Task Force Southeast, during an Electronic Warfare training July 6 with Afghan National Army Soldiers of the 203rd Thunder Corps on AP Lightning. The purpose of the Train, Advise and Assist mission is to enable and develop the Afghan National Defense Security Forces with systems and processes that will continue to enable them into the future. (U.S. Army photo provided by Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis, 1st Cavalry Division PAO.)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Sgt. Christopher DennisVIRIN: 170706-A-VV548-017Additionally, by participating in CTC, individual soldiers and police are able expand their foundational experiences for real-world missions and develop leadership skills for later in their careers.“By training the fundamentals first and to the required standard, the ANDSF gains tactical and technical competence,” said Koelling, “this battle-focused training equips units with the skills that they need to execute their essential warfighting tasks.” This not only prepares Soldiers for daily operations now, but also develops them to become effective leaders in the future.

 “Understanding that leader development is a life-long learning process that extends beyond any one particular training program or course,” said Kasprisin, “TF Southeast advisors TAA their ANDSF counterparts to develop continuous formal and informal leader development programs.” In addition to the CTC, advisors also oversee a number of individual courses designed to enhance technical and tactical skills.“By attending courses such as team leader courses, noncommissioned officer courses and commander’s courses, Soldiers and Policemen develop knowledge and skills that improve competence and confidence in their assigned duties,” said Kasprisin. As ANDSF systems, processes, and institutions continue to mature, the Afghan forces will continue to develop into modern and capable Army and Police forces. “Effective training and leader development is integral to the TAA efforts of TF Southeast,” said Koelling, “They enable the long-term sustainability and growth in the enduring warfighting capability of the ANDSF.”   

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