Afghan AF SF leads first patrol outside Kabul

Story by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexandria Mosness

Photos by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

 

 

 

KABUL, Afghanistan  – Approximately 21 Afghan Air Force Air Wing security forces led their first quick reaction force patrol outside the gates of Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport May 21.

The AAF security forces were accompanied by seven members of the 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron who trekked
up the mountain with the AAF security forces to give advice and guidance throughout the mission.

But before the AAF security forces squadrons left base, they performed battle drills for a few hours the day prior. The drills go
over commonly encountered scenarios and what to do if the worst case situation occurs. It was final training before the actual mission .

This type of military defense contributes to the overall defense of the base, said Capt. Dan Minnocci, 439th AEAS SF operational advisor, who is deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

The mission consisted of a mounted and dismounted patrol. After reaching the dismount point, the AAF security forces established a secure perimeter before taking the lead in the patrol.

“The main goal is to get the Afghans to a point where they can defend the base and assets on their own,” Minnocci said.

The advisors took the rear of the patrol to make sure the AAF were the ones leading the patrol.

“We tagged along with the Afghan led patrol so we could answer any questions or give advice on the way,” said Master Sgt. Chris Wright, 439th AEAS security forces advisor.

It was the AAF security forces who gathered information, planned the mission and got approval, Minnocci said.

“This mission was a show of force and deterrence, “said the Indiatlantic, Fla., native. “It also allowed us to gather intelligence for force protection.”

The AAF also recognized the tools they have been learning.

“We are getting very good at it [patrolling] because people came here helping us,” said Capt. Azom, AAF QRF component commander. “Now, we can do a service for our country.”

The mission was deemed a success for all involved.

“I think they are more than ready, and they have showed it in both training and in action,” Minnocci continued. “They are effective for security.”

The patrol went well, said Wright.

“They used what they were taught and applied it,” he continued. “They definitely met the expectations.”

NTM-A is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com.

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Additional photos at: http://www.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123303436

Tags: 438th AEW, 439th Air Expeditionary Advisor Sq., AEAS, afghan air force, afghanistan, air force, dismounted patrol, Feature, featured, independence, Kabul, Kabul International Airport, KAIA, nato, nato training mission, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, NTM-A, U.S. Security Force

Category: News - Afghan Air Force, News - General