KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – An Afghan National Army soldier, 33rd Kandak, learns to site a mortar tube from French army Task Force LaFayette operational mentoring liaison team members at Forward Operating Morales Frazier July 28. (Photo by French army Master Sgt. Isabelle Helies, Task Force LaFayette Public Affairs)
KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (August 5, 2011) — Afghan National Army soldiers led a combat operation to relieve a local Afghan Police force under attack by insurgents in the Ghayn Valley, July 28-29.
With air support and limited guidance from Task Force LaFayette soldiers, ANA coordinated and led the operations themselves, demonstrating the growing operational capacity of the ANSF against insurgents, said French army Capt. Dominique Olivier, French operational mentoring liaison team adviser.
The ANA 33rd Kandak deployed a quick reaction force after approximately 60 insurgents targeted the Afghan local police outpost in the Ghayn Valley. With some assistance from French Battle Group Raptor soldiers, ANSF fended off three full-scale attacks over a two-day period.
“During the morning, they just finished a week of training to confirm their capability,” said Olivier. “The same day, later in the afternoon, they fought for real against the insurgency with success. It’s amazing!”
This success marked a milestone for the ANSF, who are becoming tactically capable of leading their own operations, said ANA Lt. Col. Quari Jielani, 33rd Kandak commander.
“Today, following the combats in Afghanya and Ghayn, I know that my army is able of fighting on its own, without relying on mentors against the Taliban. It makes me so proud,” said Jielani.