News>Feature - Joint patrols hinder threats to Kandahar
Photos
Afghan and U.S. airmen and Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 24th Infantry Division search a vehicle during an evening foot patrol Sept. 3, 2011, within the ground defense area of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The partnered patrol team talked to village leaders and searched for insurgent activity and threats in communities surrounding the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
Afghan and U.S. airmen and Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 24th Infantry Division search a vehicle during an evening foot patrol Sept. 3, 2011, within the ground defense area of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The partnered patrol team talked to village leaders and searched for insurgent activity and threats in communities surrounding the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
Afghan and U.S. airmen and Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 24th Infantry Division search a vehicle during an evening foot patrol Sept. 3, 2011, within the ground defense area of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The partnered patrol team talked to village leaders and searched for insurgent activity and threats in communities surrounding the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
Afghan and U.S. airmen and Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 24th Infantry Division search a vehicle during an evening foot patrol Sept. 3, 2011, within the ground defense area of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The partnered patrol team talked to village leaders and searched for insurgent activity and threats in communities surrounding the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
Master Sgt. Christopher Stenke looks into a roadside culvert during an evening foot patrol Sept. 3, 2011, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Stenke and three other security forces Airmen are responsible for training 200 Afghan security forces airmen assigned to the Kandahar Air Wing. Stenke is a security forces adviser with the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
Tech. Sgt. John Krueger walks past an Afghan security forces airman during an evening foot patrol Sept. 3, 2011, in a village near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. U.S. security forces Airmen and Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 24th Infantry Division, conduct partnered patrols with Afghan airmen around the ground defense area to thwart threats against the airfield. Krueger is a security forces adviser with the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
An Afghan security forces airman stands outside of the Kandahar Air Wing perimeter before an evening foot patrol in a nearby village and farming area Sept. 3, 2011, in Afghanistan. There are roughly 200 security forces airmen assigned to Kandahar Air Wing who are responsible for force protection of their wing, the airfield and local ground defense area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski)
by Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
319th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
9/29/2011 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- As a golden sun falls behind a cluster of mountains north of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, a foot patrol team of international airmen comb through surrounding villages, farm fields and terrain occupying the area's ancient dry lake bed. They make use of what little daylight is left.
Working into the night, the Afghan air force security forces airmen of Kandahar Air Wing, trained and accompanied by U.S. Air Force security forces advisers, provide the force protection necessary to support the base defense of Kandahar Airfield and the 30,000 people who live and work here.
"These patrols are important because they build a relationship with the local population," said Capt. Steve Brenoskie, the senior security forces adviser for the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. "Ultimately, that's what's going to make them successful in preventing insurgent activity aimed at Kandahar Airfield, such as indirect rocket fire and improvised explosive device placement."
Kandahar Air Wing's airmen are a separate force protection asset from the Kandahar Airfield NATO-led command and control organization, which is under command of the commander of Kandahar Airfield and Headquarters.
They are responsible for perimeter security, entry control and ramp security of their own wing which is attached to the main airfield. Additionally, to integrate with COMKAF force protection personnel, the airmen began patrolling and conducting delivered operations within the ground defense area outside of the installation, Brenoskie said, so they can eventually take over the task from coalition forces.
"There are tons of things that happen during a patrol that are beneficial during interaction among community members around the airfield," Brenoskie said.
"The airmen learn who the power brokers are in the villages -- the elders, the leaders," he said. "They also gather information about potential insurgents who may be hiding amongst the villages within the ground defense area."
Statistically, the airmen's patrols have a direct correlation with the number of rocket attacks against Kandahar AF. In the spring, their joint efforts during operations helped seize six insurgents, which was followed by a month of no indirect fire here, Brenoskie said.
Although recently, Kandahar Airfield received more indirect fire in August than any other month since 2006, the team helped capture four insurgents earlier in the month. This achievement triggered a halt in attacks here until the Muslim-observed holiday Eid ul Fitr.
To prepare the Afghan team for patrolling and subsequent operations, their advisers emphasize squad and individual movement tactics, react-to-contact drills and weapons familiarization during 10 days of specialized patrol training.
Bernoskie and three other Air Force security forces advisers from the 738th AEAG have developed the patrol team from a group of 200 Afghan airmen they oversee.
"There are some setbacks to having a 4:200 ratio, but the four of us have vast experience in different areas," Bernoskie said. "We come together and do what security forces do best -- more with less, and make it work. We continue to make a lot of progress with the Afghan airmen."
The Afghan Air Force also receives help from U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. Together they conduct patrols a few times each week during day and evening hours and train together frequently.
Comments
11/15/2011 9:21:08 AM ET One thing I learned after working in numerous missions in combat areas is that it's the people who never face danger in uniform who whine about the most trivial things. Also there are so many different rules in the AOR, not to mention lack of supplies, it's no wonder they don't have ABU covers and are wearing patches. They wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't necessary and/or allowed.
Ben, Maryland
11/14/2011 2:17:11 PM ET ABU tops and bottoms ACU load gear and ballistic vest an American flag and unit pacthes on an AF uniform Must have been a no morale Friday
Same, Here
10/5/2011 11:51:04 AM ET Hey ease up on the AF Infantry they know what they are doing OTW.
Will, NE
9/29/2011 12:22:18 PM ET Nice patches on the uniform. Now how about working on those small unit tactics a little bit?