Commando Force Grows by 4,000 in 9 Months

Photo By Master Sgt. Felix Figueroa | KABUL, Afghanistan (may 9, 2018) -- An Afghan Commando rides a recently commandeered IS-K leader’s horse into the Commando graduation ceremony. According to Afghan National Army Special Operations Command Corps Public Affairs, the horse was commandeered during a recent battle in Achin district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. (NATO photo by Master Sgt. Felix Figeroa)  

AFGHANISTAN

05.09.2018

Story by Master Sgt. Felix Figueroa 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Commando Qualification Course (CDOQC) Class 24 graduated 980 new Commandos at the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command’s School of Excellence, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 9, 2018. This graduation marked the achievement of a significant force growth milestone as established in President Ashraf Ghani’s Afghan 2020 Roadmap.

Introduced in Aug. 2017, the Afghan 2020 Roadmap called for a doubling of the Commando force, an increase of nearly 12,000 special operators over four years. The addition of 4,000 Commandos in nine months illustrates the commitment of the Afghan National Army to support the long-term development of its elite ground force.

ANASOC Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Bismillah Waziri charged the graduating class with safeguarding Afghans and Afghanistan against anti-government factions.

"This is a huge responsibility. You are the best Afghanistan has to offer against dark forces like the Taliban and IS-K,” Waziri stated. “Because of you, many sleep well at night knowing you are now their defenders."

Commando Qualification Course is a 14-week course designed to assess and train Afghan soldiers for assignment in one of the 10 Special Operations Kandaks. Approximately 20 percent of the graduating class attends job-specific specialty skill training before departing for their next assignment. The remainder of the class report directly to their new Kandaks.

Commandos provide the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces unparalleled success on the battlefield, and are the cornerstone of Afghan Special Security Forces growth over the next four years.

For more information, email Resolute Support at [e-mail], or via telephone at [phone]; after hours (2030-0830 AFT) at [phone].

Additional photos are available on the Resolute Support Headquarters DVIDS page, which is at: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/RS-HQ

• Date Taken: 05.09.2018
• Date Posted: 05.15.2018 00:53
• Story ID: 276875
• Location: AF