Yep usually the current ones are people that already held high positions in past military roles.
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPERWAM GHAR, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Army's 2nd Kandak completed another successful mission Wednesday.
This mission was the second planned and led by the ANA with help from Canadian forces and similar to the mission that took place less than one month ago.
The primary objective was to sweep through villages near Forward Operating Base Sperwam Ghar and check compounds for insurgents or devices that could harm International Security Assistance Force service members.
"We received some intelligence on enemy active around the area," said ANA Capt. Shafi Feela, commander of 1st Company. "We planned a two day mission to sweep through the villages and find any enemies or enemy equipment."
In those two days, the troops found three improvised explosive devices and a compound with numerous IEDs inside. The ANA also confiscated numerous bags of ammonium-nitrate fertilizer used in making IEDs.
The ANA and ISAF service members saw the two days as an overall success.
"We were able to find some IEDs, and no one got hurt. That's always a great thing when it happens," said Canadian Capt. Breen Carson, team leader of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team that works with 1st Company.
"We got more information from villagers and seemed to get positive feedback from them, as well. The mission not only served its purpose to stop the enemy, but also showed the locals that their own people are the ones in charge and the ISAF forces aren't here to take over their country."
After completion of the mission, the ANA planned a shura, a meeting with the local leaders, to talk about what can be done for the villages in the future to ensure local safety, and to discuss projects to make the living conditions better for the village.
"The shura was the last part of the overall mission," said Canadian Maj. Wade Rutland, commander of Combat Team C.
The seizure of the ammonium-nitrate fertilizer was one of the main topics of conversation during the shura.
"It is now illegal to have in Afghanistan and we had to explain to them why we took it," said Rutland. "We certainly do not want to hurt their livelihood but it is dangerous for not only us but for them as well."
With the completion of another successful mission, the Canadian mentors see the growth in the ability of their ANA counterparts.
"They are certainly capable of planning and leading their own missions," said Carson, a native of Toronto.
This growth is vital for the future as the ANA, in cooperation with the Afghan National Police, will ultimately have to maintain security in the country after ISAF forces leave.
"They have definitely come a long way since our first mission with them," said Carson. "We are very proud of what they are doing and look forward to seeing continued success in the future."
