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classes of supply; parachute types and installation; container and assembly line rigging; high and low velocity container construction; load tag data and joint airdrop inspection. The training included a demonstration of an airdrop delivery aboard an Air National Guard C-130 and a simulated airdrop of the A-22 Container Delivery System. For many Afghan soldiers, it was their first experience on any type of aircraft. “This is my first time inside an airplane,” said one Afghan National Army soldier. “I enjoyed seeing how the crew operates the airdrop system.” The class received a visit from senior-ranking Afghan National Army and U.S. military officials. Brig. General Andarabi Dawood, Afghan National Army Logistics Command commander, expressed his support and talked about the significance of the training. He also remarked on the cooperation of the coalition forces in providing quality training and mentorship to Logistics Command and the Afghan National Army. On the final day of training, the students demonstrated their training in real-world operations. Two Afghan National Army MI-17 helicopters were loaded with meals ready-to-eat and water in support of Operation Mountain Lion, a joint Afghan National Army/coalition offensive against the Taliban. Afghan army members worked side-by-side with aircrew and U.S. Air Force embedded trainers to complete the task. The highlighted event received Afghan media and worldwide Armed Forces Network coverage on the Pentagon Channel’s weekly show, Inside Afghanistan. The training culminated with a ceremony to congratulate each student on completion of the course. Each Afghan National Army student received a certificate of completion and a commemorative Afghanistan–United States of America partnership pin. Combined Joint Task Force-76, Joint Logistics Center Commander, U.S. Army Col. Larry Wyche presided over the ceremony. “Now, in addition to ground transportation capability, the [Afghan National Army] has the ability to transport supplies to areas not accessible by ground movement,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jonathan Tucker, Central Movement Agency vehicle operations mentor. At the ceremony, Afghan National Army Lt. Col. Muhammad Kabir, Central Movement Agency Executive Officer, thanked those in attendance. “Each student has learned from our American partners how we can assist other [Afghan National Army] units and provide them much needed supplies,” said Kabir.
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