Photo By David Overson | Lithuanian Army Lt. Col. Viktoras Bagdonas, chief of staff for the Lithuanian Army...... read more read more
By OF-1 Jurgis Norvaisa
Regional Command-West Public Affairs
GHOR, Afghanistan - On Saturday a public ceremony was held in the city of Chaghcharan, Ghor province, to open a new compound for a Afghanistan National Army Company. So far, ANA troops deployed in the Ghor province, were based in temporary premises.
"I am glad that at the time when the process of transfer of responsibility from the PRT to the local institutions started, we are participating in the opening ceremony of the new ANA compound in Ghor province. ISAF makes every effort to ensure that local authorities responsible for the security, such as the ANA, the National Police and others would have the appropriate conditions for service," stressed the Commander of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Chaghcharan, Col. Artūras Radvilas.
The first ANA Company in Afghanistan's Ghor province deployed in January 2011. Since then, the number of ANA soldiers in the province increased by almost three-fold. The current forces – about 220 troops – consist of the maneuver units, the support element and the explosive ordnance disposal team. The main objective of the ANA troops is to ensure a stable security situation in the province working along with the ANP units.
Lithuanian Military Advisory Team (MAT-1) advises and supports the Afghan combat forces as these take a more prominent role fighting against insurgents. MAT-1 consists of military training instructors of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Back home they work in different military fields. ANA and MAT-1 soldiers are conducting joint exercises in accordance with approved training program.
On Jan. 4, 2012, the town of Chaghcharan and the surrounding area were approved to join the transfer of responsibility process in Chaghcharan. Responsibility of local security forces, i.e. ANA units and police, for the security in their country is gradually increased since then. The key role of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT is training of the Afghan National Security Forces with a focus on advisement. Administration capabilities of local authorities are continually being supported as well as the development cooperation projects continued. On May 13 the third phase of the transfer of responsibility process was launched in Afghanistan. It covers three districts of Ghor – Lal Wa Sarjangal, Chahar Sadah and Dawlat Yar.
Currently PRT-15 is formed by the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Motorised Infantry Battalion of the Lithuanian army, which ensures security in Ghor province. The Unit is led by Radvilas, commander of the Battalion. It is the second deployment of the Battalion’s personnel to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. The unit flag had already been waving in the Provincial Reconstruction Team of Chagcharan in 2008.
Lithuanian civilian and military personnel in Ghor execute the peacekeeping mission along with other colleagues from Georgia, Japan, USA, Poland, Finland, the Check Republic and Ukraine.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2012 07:44 |
| Story ID: | 91041 |
| Location: | GHOR, AF |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A new Afghanistan National Army compound opened in Ghor province, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
