Afghan National Army infantry noncommissioned officers conduct training Oct. 25, 2010. The NCOs took part in the NCO Battle Course to learn anti-ambush techniques. Security by Afghan forces will be one of the issues discussed in the “Rehearsal of Concept” (ROC) drill. (Photo by Zachary Wolf)
KABUL, Afghanistan (Oct. 26, 2010) — U.S. Embassy Kabul, NATO-ISAF and the Afghan Government are co-hosting an interagency review of our shared civilian-military efforts in Afghanistan for the coming year, referred to as a “Rehearsal of Concept” (ROC) drill, from Oct. 26-27.
This ROC drill is a follow-on to a similar exercise held April 11-12 in Kabul.
National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta, U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, ISAF Commander General David Petraeus and NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Mark Sedwill are co-chairing the exercise. U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard C. Holbrooke traveled from Washington to participate and key international community representatives based in Kabul are also taking part in this two-day event.
During the drill, U.S. and international community civilian and military leadership will co-chair working sessions with their Afghan counterparts, focused on nine areas: security; governance; rule of law and judicial development; agriculture, infrastructure and economic development; border management; transparency and accountability; counternarcotics; reintegration; and transition.
The ROC drill is reviewing shared goals, implementation plans and resources required through December 2011 to support the Afghan Government’s strategies and provides an opportunity for detailed discussion of our civilian and military work during this crucial year of implementation for the U.S. President’s strategy.
In opening up the Drill on Oct. 26, Ambassador Eikenberry called the exercise “a tremendous opportunity to ensure our resources, plans and programs are aligned in a manner that supports the goals of the Afghan Government and those of the Afghan people.” “These next two days, simply put, are about all of us working together for the successful future of Afghanistan,” he said.
This type of exercise, regularly carried out by the U.S. Department of Defense for a variety of scenarios, will help synchronize efforts and ensure that U.S. Government and International Community’s resources are most effectively employed to achieve President Obama’s stated goals, the goals of the International Community, and those of the Afghan Government.
This meeting has long been planned to occur in Afghanistan and include Afghan and NATO-ISAF participation to ensure U.S. resources and plans are developed in partnership with our Afghan and international partners. It is a key step in our work together towards Afghan leadership, ownership and sustainability.