U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert Frees, strategic network consultant for the Office of Military Cooperation - Afghanistan, congratulates an Afghan National Army soldier and hands him his Super User certification during a graduation ceremony at Kabul University, March 12, 2005. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan photo by Master Sgt. D. Keith Johnson
Afghan National Army Joins Information Age
As the Afghan National Army continues to grow and decentralize some operations, a robust communications network becomes ever more crucial.
By U.S. Army Maj. Rick Peat, Kansas National Guard Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan, March 28, 2005 We are building a communications infrastructure starting from virtually nothing, said U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert Frees, a strategic computer network consultant for the U.S.-led Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan, regarding construction of a viable and sustainable computing infrastructure for the Afghan Ministry of Defense and the Afghan National Army.
As the Afghan National Army continues to grow and decentralize some operations, a robust communications network becomes ever more crucial.
Prior to September 2004, all Afghan National Army operations were controlled by either the Central Corps in Kabul or coalition units with whom the Afghan National Army operated. Since then, the Afghan National Army has set up four additional regional Corps around the country, each capable of commanding and controlling operations in their assigned area of operations.
Remarking on the importance of a strong communications infrastructure for the new army, Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan Chief of Communications Army Lt. Col. Mark Baxter said, The (Afghan National Army) must have a comprehensive strategic network to allow effective centralized command and control of the Army. Without effective centralized command, tribal rule will dominate the future of Afghanistan.
Im excited to take what Ive learned during this training and go to work wherever the (Afghan National Army) needs me, Afghan National Army soldier Mohammed Saber
Through tremendous effort by Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan and the Afghan Ministry of Defense Communications Directorate, computers and networks are being installed at the Ministry of Defense, at all five corps headquarters and at all training facilities. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan is carrying out a $31 million comprehensive plan for initial stand-up, intermediate automation and permanent sustainment of communications systems connecting all echelons of the Afghan National Army with their first-ever automated command and control systems.
Frees indicated the financial support comes from the U.S. Department of State as well as funds allocated to foreign military assistance in support of the global war on terrorism. The funds have so far been spent on the design and implementation of 17 communication network contracts linking more than 30 Afghan National Army facilities throughout Afghanistan.
A large investment in human resources is also necessary. The base of knowledge and experience Afghan National Army soldiers have with computer technology is very limited. Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Mohammad Amin Norestani, chief of legal affairs for the Ministry of Defense, recognized the importance of computer technology early in the development of the new Afghan National Army.
The world has become a small village through use of computers, Norestani said. In the past, a person with a high school degree was called a literate person. Now a person who doesnt know how to use computers is considered not educated; it has become a life requirement for everyone.
The next project in the Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan comprehensive plan is to set up eight computer labs at the Kabul Military Training Center so new recruits can learn about computers before they get to their first assignment.
To run the new Afghan National Army computing infrastructure, Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan contracted out computer maintenance and network administration to a regional civilian computer consulting firm. The long-term solution, as for all aspects in the reconstruction of the Afghan defense sector, is for the Afghan National Army to be self-sustaining.
To achieve this, soldiers must be trained and afforded the opportunity to work hands-on with experienced system administrators, said Brig. Gen. Shams Ahmad, deputy communications director for the Ministry of Defense.
To provide the necessary training, Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan and the Ministry of Defense partnered with Kabul Universitys Computer Science Department to design a training program for Afghan National Army soldiers to becomecomputer system administrators. Five instructors from Kabul Universitys Computer Science Department are now involved in teaching the Afghan National Army students.
Members of the Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan configure the Afghan National Army network hub at the Ministry of Defense building in Kabul. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan photo by Terry Spanier
U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert Frees, strategic network consultant for the Office of Military Cooperation - Afghanistan, congratulates an Afghan National Army soldier and hands him his Super User certification during a graduation ceremony at Kabul University, March 12, 2005. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan photo by Master Sgt. D. Keith Johnson
Along with the department head, Prof. M. Homayounnaseri, they teamed up with Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan and the Ministry of Defense Communications Directorate to create a curriculum that would produce soldiers capable of carrying out the Ministry of Defense long-term network administration needs.
From the beginning, students had no experience with computers, said Homayounnaseri. So we had to consider this in deciding what to teach them and where to start.
The first class of 48 soldiers, drawn from the Ministry of Defense Communications Directorate and the five corps headquarters, reported for class at Kabul University Sept. 18, 2004, for a 14-week training program. The inaugural program faced many challenges early on, including having only a few Pentium II personal computers available in the classroom, sporadic electrical service, and no heat during one of the coldest Afghan winters in decades.
The instructors faced another significant challenge. Many of the soldier-students had never touched a computer before and did not know English, the universal computer language. According to Homayounnaseri, the most successful students in this class were familiar with English, had completed high school and had completed several math and science courses while in school.
Instructor Hassan Adelyar added, It is different teaching the (Afghan National Army) than our university students. We are only teaching the (Afghan National Army) for a relatively short time on very specific subjects. The ages of the (Afghan National Army) are different too, ranging from 18 to over 50 years old.
Brig. Gen. Shams Ahmad, deputy communications director for the Afghan Ministry of Defense, congratulates one of his soldiers and hands him his Super User certification during a graduation ceremony at Kabul University, March 12, 2005. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan photo by Master Sgt. D. Keith Johnson
In overcoming these challenges, Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan provided the university with a generator and enough new PCs that every student had their own in the classroom. Modifications were also made to the curriculum, lengthening it, adding some basic English instruction, and dividing it into two semesters.
The first semester includes training in English computer terms, typing in English and Dari, Microsoft Office, Internet concepts and computer anatomy. Graduates of the first semester are certified by Kabul University as Super Users and are qualified to work on the Afghan National Army computer help desk.
The best Super Users continue on through a 12-week second semester and are certified as System Administrators upon successful completion. They are qualified to install cable, establish peer to peer connections and other networking responsibilities. Additionally, several of the best second semester students participate in a cooperative education program that Frees arranged with the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has a relatively advanced information technology department.
The revised training plan will put the first 25 of 100 required System Administrators in the field by July 15, 2005. The Afghan National Army is projected to have the infrastructure and trained personnel in place to sustain itself by May 2006.
Graduates of the first semester participated in a simple but prideful ceremony attended by Ministry of Defense and university officials on March 12 at Kabul University. The soldiers were excited to receive their Super User certificates, and each poured over his certificate in detail and with great interest after he returned to his seat.
Im excited to take what Ive learned during this training and go to work wherever the (Afghan National Army) needs me, said Mohammed Saber in his native language.
Truman Strike Group Heads Home, Vinson Strike Group Takes Watch
By Journalist 3rd Class (SW) John Stevens, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group concluded operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and maritime security operations (MSO) March 19, after being relieved by the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf.
MSO is aimed at setting the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. Illicit activity at sea has a global impact. MSO pressurizes the maritime environment and is the single most significant component of the conventional maritime effort against terrorism.
Truman and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 launched 2,577 sorties, totaling nearly 13,000 flight hours, in support of OIF and MSO since relieving USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Nov. 20. Truman and CVW-3 kept an eye on U.S. and coalition forces in country during the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections.
Im very proud of the close cooperation and esprit de corps on the ship, air wing and throughout the strike group, said Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 Rear Adm. Michael C. Tracy. I know for a fact that the troops on the ground appreciated our ability to provide close air support.
Shipboard leadership mirrored Tracys approval.
For all the people in the mission - absolutely superb job, said Truman Commanding Officer Capt. James P. Gigliotti in an all-hands address. Weve done an outstanding job all the way through this evolution for the past four months.
Truman had the privilege of visiting Manama, Bahrain, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Sailors and Marines enjoyed what the local culture had to offer during the brief periods of rest and relaxation.
I went on the Sunset Safari, said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) Jill Harris, and it was one of the best tours Ive ever been on. Four-wheeling and sand boarding were my favorite parts.
Underway between Arabian excursions ashore, the ship and air wing team hit the deckplates hard when it came to the daily grind of flight operations, general quarters training evolutions and underway replenishments.
Trumans Supply Department won Ships Store Best in Class Award and their fourth Capt. Edward F. Ney Award for excellence in food service, an honor that now encompasses the entire Navy rather than the East and West Coasts separately.
We are recognized as the best food service organization in the United States Navy, said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist (SW) Susan Reece, Trumans food production chief. Its a privilege to work for this supply team and bring the Ney back to [Truman].
CVW-3 witnessed the end of an era this deployment with the final combat flight of Fighter Squadron (VF) 32s F-14 Tomcats, which will be replaced by F/A-18 Super Hornets later this year. While there are some heavy hearts within VF-32, they know its a necessary step forward in their mission.
Its a little sad, said VF-32 Maintenance Officer Lt. Cmdr. Randy Stearns, whos flown Tomcats for 14 years, but its good to know were introducing the Super Hornet and pressing on.
VF-32 has already begun the transition to the new platform and will rejoin CVW-3 in early spring 2006.
Bolstering Trumans ability to complete its mission, a supporting cast of surface ships conducted MSO to protect not only Truman but also the interests of regional allies.
Weve done a lot of significant regional engagement, said USS Mason (DDG 87) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Gene Black. Weve acted as air defense commander, and weve done [MSO] to deter international terrorism and protect the maritime industry.
Although one stage of the mission is now complete, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group's transit home will still be busy.
Before the team reaches its home port, Fleet and Family Support Center representatives will come aboard and conduct preparation training for new parents and those just preparing to return to family life.
This is something weve done traditionally since my first cruise, said Truman Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Clarence Frye. Theyve actually put together a very good and comprehensive program for those who are returning from a deployment.
Frye said the classes will include parenting skills, relational intimacy and handy tips for those buying cars with their savings from the cruise.
The strike group, consisting of Truman, Mason, USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Monterey (CG 61), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and CVW-3, deployed Oct. 13 for its second deployment in support of OIF and anti-terrorism operations.
For related news, visit the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn75.
Bump!