AAF and Afghan SF commandos take part in joint training operation

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Vladimir Potapenko | Afghan air force Mi-35 helicopters provide close air support for Afghan National Army special forces commandos engaging enemy combatants during a joint training exercise between the AAF and SF commandos held outside of Kabul March 5. The exercise was the first joint training mission between AAF and SF commandos to see AAF forward observers working with ANA ground forces to provide a link between air and ground initiatives. A precedent that AAF Brig. Gen. Mohammed Barat, the Kabul Wing commander, sees as a major step towards better cooperation and cohesion between the two forces.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

03.05.2011

Story by Vladimir Potapenko 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Afghan Air Force and Afghan Special Forces commandos worked together to conduct training operations that stretch the capabilities and interoperability of the two forces during joint-military exercises outside of Kabul, March 5 and 6.

“It’s a great step in the right direction,” said AAF Brig. Gen. Mohammed Barat, the Kabul Wing commander, who piloted the helicopter used during day two of training. “This builds coordination for the future and will help us to be able to keep pressure on insurgents as coalition forces draw down.”

The first day’s training consisted of commandos storming an enemy compound and engaging hostile combatants as AAF helicopters swooped overhead providing close air support, supplies and medical evacuation capabilities for the troops; with the second day seeing commandos climb down from a hovering AAF Mi-17 transport helicopter to the ground as part of force insertion training.

The use of AAF aircraft and AAF personnel in conducting these exercises is a departure from previous commando missions and training where coalition aircraft and personnel played a more integral role, said ANA Capt. Samiullah Khuram, the training officer for the Afghan SF commandos.

“Such operations are great for cohesion, bringing the AAF and commandos closer together, providing for increased efficiency and ability to accomplish different mission sets,” he added.

The training is especially important as they mark the first time that AAF forward observers, the link between aircraft and ground forces, worked in tandem with ANA commandos.

“Without forward observer coordination, ground forces do not have the aircraft support that is often so critical to mission success,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremy Reedy, a NATO Air Training Command forward observer advisor with the 738 Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron.

“Both sides, the AAF and commandos, just took the ball and ran with it,” said Reedy, going on to explain that the exercises were planned and coordinated entirely by Afghans, demonstrating the Afghan military’s developing skills in ground & air coordination and ability.

Though a good start, Barat feels that more can be done and will be done to develop military capabilities thanks to the help of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan advisors and the soldiers and Airmen charged with protecting Afghanistan.

Additional joint training is already in the works, said Reedy, with the exercises hopefully becoming a monthly staple for the two sides.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2011
• Date Posted: 03.07.2011 09:24
• Story ID: 66615
• Location: KABUL, AF