20 soldiers from the 1st kandak of the 3rd Afghan National Army Brigade (ANA) arrived in Ghazni. All were provided with medical care and social and living conditions identical to those provided for Polish and American soldiers. The first two days of their stay at the base were devoted to orientation training. The Afghans learned about the base’s infrastructure and saw the equipment, vehicles, weapons and gear used by soldiers from the 1st Motorized Company of Combat Group Alfa (ZB-A). During a brief theoretical training session, they were informed about the rules governing the use of force under ISAF procedures and operations in conditions involving the threat of explosive devices.
The following days were devoted to training under the supervision of Polish instructors, enabling them to master the basic skills necessary to carry out operational activities. Tactics, shooting, medical training, and the construction and use of weapons were just some of the topics covered. The Afghans would also learn how to provide first aid on the battlefield. “Despite the difference in training, we assume that during this period we will bring them and our soldiers to the same level,” says Maj. Krzysztof Kochmański, deputy commander of ZB-A and coordinator for cooperation with ANA.
During the training, the Afghan soldiers would see what the standard tasks of Combat Group “Alfa” looked like. On February 8, they began combat operations as part of our subunits. They would take part in patrols and convoys and in searches of localities together with the Afghan police, as well as support the activities of PSYOPS groups (Psychological Support Groups), CIMIC groups (Civil-Military Cooperation Groups) and PRTs (Provincial Reconstruction Teams).
In accordance with the decision of the Commander of the 3rd ANA Brigade, after two months the twenty Afghans would be replaced by other Afghan soldiers, while the current trainees would serve as instructors. If this form of cooperation proves successful, the number of ANA soldiers at the Ghazni base would soon increase.
The Afghan National Army soldiers are serving in Ghazni at the initiative of the commander of the VI rotation, Brig. Gen. Janusz Bronowicz. The undertaking aims to enable Afghan soldiers to master techniques and procedures ensuring the effective conduct of operational activities together with our soldiers.
Soldiers of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment are also stationed at the Ghazni base in Afghanistan. The Bolesławiec artillerymen form part of the Fire Support Group of the VI rotation of the Polish Task Forces. You can read more about this HERE.
(information Anna Pawlak/ii)
