Story by SSgt. Sarah Brown, USAF
Photo by Col. Gregory Breazile
NTM-A
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates toured an Afghan National Army training center March 10 during his trip to Afghanistan to review the mentoring efforts of U.S. and NATO forces.
Camp Blackhorse is home to the Central Fielding Center (CFC), where ANA officers and non commissioned officers who have completed their respective basic training courses, come together to form units, or Kandaks, and learn how to operate together as a functioning unit. All ANA soldiers, including those from regional training centers, process through the CFC for collective training; about 7,000 soldiers graduate every month. The course is a total of seven weeks and officers and NCO’s spend an additional two weeks learning how to lead troops.
Gates, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, and NATO trainers, watched as the ANA soldiers conducted several training maneuvers, including mounted and dismounted patrols and reactions to improvised explosive device detonations. Afterward, Gates spoke to the soldiers, telling them that the future of Afghanistan was in their hands and that only Afghans would ultimately be able to provide long-term security for Afghanistan. Both Minister Wardak and Gates emphasized that producing quality soldiers was vital to transition success.
“It is our patriotic duty and responsibility to defend our country against threats,” said Wardak. “A prosperous, stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of the whole region.”
Speaking to reporters about withdrawal timelines, Gates mentioned that any troop departure from Afghanistan would be condition-based. “As conditions on the ground permit, we might be able to begin the process,” he said in response to questions about the July 2011 estimate of Afghan National Security Forces taking over for U.S. and NATO forces. Gates cautioned that while there has been a significant increase in the size and capability of the ANA, there was a need to not be too impatient.
This is Gates’ third visit to Afghanistan, which included a visit to Helmand province, where he was advised by mentors there that ANA soldiers are performing better today than ever before.
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