Afghan national army takes next step to reaching 134,000 troops by 2010

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.22.2009

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Damien Horvath 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan national army took another step closer to meeting its goal of a 134,000 soldiers by October 2010, with the graduation of almost 800 troops from an accelerated, combat-company training program Nov. 22, 2009.

Accelerated companies train more troops in order to achieve the target size of the ANA. The three companies were the first to graduate from the Consolidated Fielding Center under the new program.

"They're looking forward to getting on the ground and putting into practice the training we have put them through in the last five week," said U.K. Army Capt. Allister Swift a assistant mentor for the Soldiers going through the accelerated training.

These troops, along with others to follow, are then added to the Afghan army kandaks. Each kandak is normally made up of three companies, but with these additional soldiers, a fourth company is being added. With the addition of one more company, kandaks will be able to rotate soldiers for training, downtime and leave.

Accelerated companies are a part of the continued sustainability of Afghanistan's future. ANA instructors train the new soldiers along with coalition partners, who provide additional training and mentoring.

The three graduating companies are the first of 44 others who will go through the accelerated training.

Once the training is complete, the Afghan troops will deploy throughout Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2009
• Date Posted: 11.22.2009 13:41
• Story ID: 41886
• Location: KABUL, AF