By Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, USA
NTM-A
The Afghan Forward Oberver (FO) class completed all of their objectives at the range, March 16, just prior to their graduation.
Everything happened on time for culminating event which was a significant step for the Afghans. The FO students were in place ahead of schedule in the morning, prior to the Mi-35 exercise. They met their goal for the exercise which consisted of the most convoy escort scenarios than before involving hostile acts with friendly's in vicinity, and determining hostile intent.
Two Army FOs and an American Forces Network (AFN) reporter were dropped at the observation post by two Blackhawks during the second live-fire event for the class. The Afghans setup for the class using the same equipment as American FOs, and then called in two Apache's with 2.75" rockets and 30mm guns. The Afghan FO students learned the same material as American FOs, and saw a demo of 2-ship helicopter tactics. The AFN reporter was able to interview one of the Afghan students and a Combined Air Power Transition Force (CAPTF) instructor during the exercise.
1st Lt Hazem, a Joint Tactical Air Control (JTAC) candidate, stood right next to the American FOs the entire time to observe. Although it appeared to be the same he had witnessed within the class, it was a confidence boost for him knowing that he can handle JTAC training.
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So, Afghan Army 1LT Hazem is a JTAC candidate? Really? Since when did Afghanistan have a certified JTAC Qualification Course? And I don't remember seeing the Afghan Military as a co-signer of the JTAC MOA nor STAGNAG 3797? So I'm really wondering if anyone really knows what it takes to become a JTAC, it is not an additional duty job. It is a very labor intensive job that requires extensive training and continuous recurring training.
MSgt Knight
JTAC