Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) Starts Train-the-Trainer Course

KABUL, Afghanistan — More than 60 new lieutenants began the train-the-trainer course at the Afghan Public Protection Force Training Center this week.

The group includes 36 officers who recently graduated from a Turkish police officer training course; the other 27 are graduates from the Afghan National Police Academy.

They will undergo a six-week program of instruction at the training center. The course of instruction consists of the basic static guard course, the convoy operations course and the personal security detail course. About half the officers will then disperse around Afghanistan as part of mobile APPF training teams and the others will be sent to the various APPF zone headquarters to help manage APPF operations around the country.

The APPF is creating mobile training teams in order to increase its overall training capacity, according to Richard Power, senior education and training advisor for the APPF Advisory Group. The APPF training center is currently able to train about 220 guards per month at a time. When renovations are completed at the training center and mobile training teams are up and running, the APPF will have the ability to train up to 1,500 guards per month, said Power.

Story source:  "APPF Lieutenants Start Train-the-Trainer Course", Allied Command Operations NATO, March 14, 2012.  Learn more about the Afghan Public Protection Force here.

Soldier Who Allegedly Killed 16 Civilians in Panjwai, Afghanistan Massacre Identified as SSG Robert Bales

Fox News has released the name of the Soldier who allegedly committed the killings of 16 civilians in the Panjwai massacre earlier this month. His name is Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. Bales is being flown to a military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  See "Sources ID soldier suspected in Afghan massacre", Fox News, March 16, 2012. Learn more about the Panjwai massacre here.

Recruiting Continues for Afghan Local Police (ALP) Program in Afghanistan

Members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Force - Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) and their Afghan National Army (ANA) counterparts (typically the ANA Special Forces and ANA Commandos) are continuing their efforts to expand the Afghan Local Police (ALP) program into new villages and communities. The photo seen here shows members of U.S. special operations and the 8th Commando Kandak in a village in Zabul discussing the ALP program with villagers. (Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Dillon - CJSOTF-A Media Operations Center).

Karzai Wants ISAF Out of Afghan Villages

In a reaction to the Panjwai massacre President Karzai wants all NATO troops to withdraw from Afghan villages to large bases. He has stated that Afghan security forces are now ready to take over all security responsibilities now. This will have an adverse effect on ISAF's plans for an orderly transition to Afghan security forces over the next few years. Part of that transition includes the use of special operations forces working in Afghan villages with the Afghan Local Police or ALP as part of the Village Stability Operations or VSO program. Read more in "Karzai Urges NATO Withdrawal From Afghan Villages", Voice of America, March 15, 2012.

Things Our Military Generals Talk About with Each Other but Can't Say in Public about the Afghan War

What are some true things that our generals can't say in public about the Afghan war?

1.  Pakistan is now an enemy of the United States.
2. We don't know why we are here, what we are fighting for, or how to know if we are winning.
3. The strategy is to fight, talk, and build.  But we're withdrawing the fighters, the Taliban won't talk, and the builders are corrupt.
4. Karzai's family is especially corrupt.  (see corruption in Afghanistan).

My favorite is below:

18.  We are ignoring the advisory effort and fighting the "big war" with American troops, just as we did in Vietnam. And the U.S. military won't act any differently and work with the Afghan forces seriously until American politicians significantly draw down U.S. forces in country - when it may be too damn late.

Read the rest in "19 true things generals can't say in public about the Afghan war: A helpful primer", The Best Defense Blog, November 9, 2011.  Although dated Nov 2011 all 19 are still true today!

DoD Announces Upcoming Afghanistan Unit Deployments for Spring 2012: 76th Inf Bde, 173rd BCT, 12th CAB

The Department of Defense today identified three major units to deploy as part of the upcoming rotation of forces operating in Afghanistan. The Spring 2012 scheduled rotation involves one brigade combat team headquarters with more than 70 personnel; one brigade combat team with more than 3,600 personnel; and a combat aviation brigade with more than 2,400 personnel to include:

Headquarters unit (rotation began last month):

76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters, Indiana Army National Guard

Brigade Combat Team and Combat Aviation Brigade:

173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy

12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Katterbach, Germany

To read the entire story see:
http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=15118

MG Mark Gurganus: What I meant to say!

Our general officers have brought the art of doublespeak to a high level of expertise.

An incident took place while Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's plane was landing at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Camp Bastion is run by the British. An Afghan man stole a truck (Toyota Hi-Lux), drove it onto the runway while the plane was landing, and headed down the runway toward the reception party at a high rate of speed. He crashed the truck in a ditch. The truck either caught fire or the driver set the truck on fire. The end result is the driver caught fire as well and later died.

MG Mark Gurgnaus, the new head of Regional Command Southwest (RC Southwest) - where Helmand Province is located - was in the reception party as were other high ranking officers. The general said in a press conference shortly after the incident that there were no repercussions in his area of operations due to the Panjwai massacre - not even a two-man demonstration.

The real story? The Afghan man, an interpreter employed on the base, came close to running over the general and the reception party for the Secretary of Defense. The general and his party took evasive action to avoid the attack. Just 30 minutes prior to the attempt attack, the Afghan man drove over a British military member - who is now in stable condition. The plane carrying Panetta was diverted to another area. "See Top Marine targeted in vehicle runway crash", Fox News, March 16, 2012.

Later in the day Marines were assembled at Camp Bastion to listen to a speech by the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during his recent visit to Afghanistan. What was unusual about this appearance was that the Marines were instructed to leave the hall, go outside, stack their weapons, and then return to their seats. This is the first time that anyone has ever heard of this happening in any war. Seems the general in charge of RC Southwest - MG Mark Gurganus - gave the order. Looks like the general doesn't trust his own Marines. See "Marines told to disarm before Panetta speech", CNN, March 14, 2012.

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm". For more behind the story news on this incident see "Afghan interpreter targeted top US Marine general, officers in Helmand", Threat Matrix, The Long War Journal, March 16, 2012.

Deciphering Karzai's Rhetoric

Karzai has just recently announced that ISAF should withdraw its forces from Afghan villages and put them on large bases. He has also said that the Afghan security forces are ready to take over the security responsiblity for the country. The first statement flies in the face of logic and the second is wishful thinking. Does he really mean it or is it meant for the domestic audience? Read one commentators thoughts on this topic in "Afghan President Karzai's angry ultimatums have parallels in post-colonial Africa", The Christian Science Monitor, March 15, 2012.

Canadians Look at Usefulness of Continuing Afghan Mission

For the most part, Canadian combat troops have now left Afghanistan; however, there are over one thousand deployed there in support, staff, or training positions. The Canadians, as other NATO partners have, are looking at the usefulness of "sticking it out" to 2014. Considering the Afghan "insider killings", recent black eyes suffered by ISAF (Koran burning, Panjwai killings, etc.), Karzai's zaniness, Afghan government corruption, and more the Canadians cannot be faulted for re-evaluating the Afghan mission. Read more on this topic - "Perhaps Canada has done what it can in Afghanistan", The Vancouver Sun, March 15, 2012.

Panjwai Killings Suspect Still Unnamed

The military still refuses to provide the name of the US Army Staff Sergeant who allegedly committed the Panjwai killings; although they are starting to run out of time based on previous statements. One possible reason is to protect the Soldier's family; the family has been relocated to a secure location. Read more in "Days after Afghanistan massacre, suspect unnamed", Seattle PI.com, March 15, 2012.

United Nations General-Secretary Chief Concerned about Abuses of Afghan Local Police (ALP)

"UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Reuters) - The U.N. mission in Afghanistan should place a greater priority on protecting human rights after Afghan security forces were accused of violations, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report released on Thursday. Ahead of a U.N. Security Council vote next week to renew the mandate of the political and development mission, Ban raised concern about the Afghan Local Police, which U.S. officials believe could become more important as foreign forces withdraw."

The UN Secretary-General says the Afghan Local Police (ALP) are increasing security but also need to be under control of the Afghan government. Unfortunately, his statement is ill-informed. He has mistakenly lumped the ALP in with the group of militias that operate independent of the Afghan government. The ALP come under the control of the District Chief of Police (DCoP) and are part of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). His concerns are misplaced. Read the rest of the story in "U.N. chief concerned about Afghan rights abuse", AlertNet, March 15, 2012.

Hybrid Solar and Wind Power Equipment to be Deployed to Small Remote Outposts in Afghanistan

The U.S. Army will soon be deploying hybrid solar and wind power equipment that will provide enough energy to help power small remote outposts in Afghanistan. This initiative is all part of the Army's 'Energy to the Edge' program - see "Rapid Equipping Force develops 'Energy to the Edge' program", Army.mil, August 5, 2011.

Some of the equipment being fielded under the program includes:
Solar Stik 3.0 kW Hybrid System
ZeroBase H-Series 5kW Regenerator
Iris Technologies Personal Power System
Qinetig 1kW JP-8 Generator

Will Women be Abandoned When the Taliban Join the Afghan Government?

The departure of ISAF troops from Afghanistan by 2014 is hailed as a good thing by many people. Karzai says he doesn't need us anymore (but he loves our money), the Afghan people don't seem to appreciate us, and many believe we have accomplished our mission (bin Laden is dead, the Taliban are out of power, and the Afghans have a government and military).

However the departure will not bode well for the women of Afghanistan who have benefited greatly with the fall of the Taliban by the U.S. military (and its allies) since 2001. Some wonder if the current government will survive. It is possible that the Taliban could re-gain control of the south and southeast parts of Afghanistan and/or assume an important role in the Afghan government as the result of negotiations between the Taliban and the United States.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, a fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the book "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana", provides us with some insight on the dilemma of women with the coming withdrawal of ISAF from Afghanistan in 2014. Read her article in "U.S. must not abandon Afghan women to the Taliban", CNN, March 15, 2012.

U.S. Gives Afghanistan $238 Million for Rule of Law, Counternarcotics, and Law Enforcement

U.S. Government Provides Funding for Continuation of
Key Rule of Law and Counternarcotics Programs in Afghanistan

Deputy Foreign Minister Jawid Ludin and the U.S. Embassy’s Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland participated in a signing ceremony on March 11, in which the Government of the United States of America officially allocated over $238 million for rule of law, counternarcotics and law enforcement programs to be carried out jointly with the Government of Afghanistan. This agreement is a concrete example of the continuing commitment by the Government of the United States to our partnership with the Afghan people and their elected representatives to improve people’s lives across Afghanistan.

The funding will help the United States and Afghanistan to achieve two of our shared major strategic objectives in Afghanistan. The allotment will allow for better governance through the improved administration of justice and enhanced rule of law by supporting programs such as the Afghanistan Legal Education Project (ALEP), which publishes and distributes free legal textbooks that specifically address Afghanistan’s post-2004 legal system. It also offers studies towards a Legal Certificate for the American University of Afghanistan students pursuing majors in business, political science, and information technology. In the area of counternarcotics, the funding will support and expand current programs including the operation of 29 residential drug treatment centers located throughout Afghanistan, and will help further joint narcotics interdiction efforts.

Through this recent allocation of more than $238 million, the Government of the United States of America demonstrates its continued commitment to assisting the Afghan government and people in creating a safer and more secure Afghanistan.

Story from US Embassy posting on March 12, 2012  accessed at link below:
http://kabul.usembassy.gov/mou2.html
Learn more about the Rule of Law in Afghanistan:
http://www.afghanwarnews.info/ruleoflaw.htm

Pentagon Employs Solar Energy in Afghanistan

The Afghanistan War, as in all previous wars, has served as a testing ground for new equipment. This equipment can be lethal (as in weapons, ammunition, and explosives) or it can be non-lethal (as in support equipment like computers, communications, or life support). One area that the Department of Defense (DoD) is making great strides in is solar energy. A primary reason for this is the cost of providing energy in the form of fuel and batteries to the many scattered outposts in Afghanistan that are off the power grid. In addition, any fuel for trucks, generators, etc. that does get into Afghanistan has to be shipped over dangerous land routes (through Pakistan) and to its final destination in Afghanistan.

A recent article provides detailed information on the Pentagon's effort on the solar energy front. For instance, the military accounted for 20% of the solar initiatives for the entire government, DoD is incorporating renewable energy to support operational environments in Afghanistan, the military is reducing its dependence on foreign oil, and some bases in Afghanistan are completely powered by solar.

While the info provided is in depth it also has a political slant - be sure to read the last paragraph!  See "Pentagon Goes on Solar Energy Expedition in Afghanistan", Press Action, March 15, 2012.

Many Calls for Change in US Strategy in Afghanistan

The print media and Internet is full of commentators writing opinion pieces about whether we should stay in Afghanistan, keep our current strategy and timeline, or just start loading troops onto transport planes and fly them home. One opinion writer, Eugene Robinson - editor, foreign correspondent, author, and more - provides us with his thoughts on the subject. See "End the Afghan mission now", The Washington Post, March 12, 2012.

How Advisors Can Regain Trust in Afghanistan

Fernandao Lujan, a U.S. Army Major, wrote a piece recently about how to re-establish trust between Afghans and the U.S. military. Lujan is a Special Forces officer, has spent some time in Afghanistan as an AfPak Hand, speaks a little of the language, knows some of the culture, and spent much of his Afghan trip working with Afghan military units as a member of the Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT). He offers advice for those military members who will work in an advisory role in Afghanistan over the next several years.  Read Lujan's article in "How to get Afghans to trust us once again", The Washington Post, March 2, 2012.

Mission Accomplished in Afghanistan

While many commentators have been stating that our mission in Afghanistan has failed and it is time to bring the troops home - other commentators believe that the mission is accomplished and it is time to bring the troops home. It is likely the withdrawal of U.S. troops will be accelerated. There will be a reduction of about 22,000 by September of 2012 and another redeployment possible by the middle of 2013. Read the comments of Romesh Ratnesar - deputy editor of Bloomberg Businessweek and a fellow at the New America Foundation in "In Afghanistan, the U.S. Mission Is Accomplished", Bloomberg Businessweek, March 14, 2012.

Village Stability Operations Explanation

Carmen Gentile has wrote a piece about the Village Stability Operations program in Afghanistan. In this program, called VSO for short, special operations teams move into rural communities and establish Village Stability Platforms. These small organizations built around the special operations teams work with local community leaders to enhance governance and development at the same time trying to improve the security situation. They frequently work with the Afghan Local Police or ALP. The recent shooting of sixteen Panjwai civilians took place at one of these VSO locations.

See the article by Carmen Gentile entitled "Afghanistan massacre casts pall over village operations", USA Today, March 15, 2012.

Examining the Afghan Mission

David Ignatius, an opinion writer, has commented on the reaction to the Panjwai massacre by a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and the current Afghan strategy that the U.S. is following. Read his comments in "How to end the Afghan mission", The Washington Post, March 13, 2012.