U.S. Training provides security, development of ANA

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Combat Outpost Kherwar is under a blanket of fresh snow as the sun comes up over the mountains in Afghanistan’s Logar province, Kherwar district. The Soldiers of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, meet with troops from the Afghan National Army and prepare for a long day.  

No matter the weather, the Soldiers of 2nd Platoon and their ANA counterparts patrol the surrounding villages, improving security and relationships with the local villagers, while developing and preparing the ANA troops to take over future patrols.

“We patrol every day and the ANA lead the patrols,” said Spc. Jordan Lovett, from Fresno, Calif., a machine gunner for 2nd Platoon.

Leading the patrols allows the ANA troops to put their training to the test.  

 “They are starting to learn more and realize we’re teaching them things they can use,” he said.  “Their leadership is also starting to develop.”

“We train with them two times or more a week,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jack Fryberger, of York, Penn., 2nd Platoon’s platoon sergeant.  “During training, we train them on various tasks from pre-combat checks and inspections to squad movements and Army hand signals.”

“As a troop, we’ve always had them lead the patrols,” said Fryberger.  “In the last week we’ve had them deciding what the routes were going to be, what we’re going to do and what the mission is.”

The goal is for the ANA to be able to pick up where 2nd Platoon will leave off at the end of their deployment.  With a new, ambitious ANA commander in the area, their soldiers will continue to improve and take on more operational responsibility.

“He wants to do more training with his guys,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Pine, a squad leader from Los Angeles.  “He wants to help take part in planning processes so he can integrate in and take over patrolling.”

In only three months, the ANA troops have made many improvements and 2nd Platoon can see the results of their efforts.  

“I think there has been a definite improvement,” said Lovett.

As the year goes on and the patrols continue, the Soldiers of Trp. C will be watching the continued development of their Afghan partners.  With the last three months as evidence, the future looks bright for the future of the Afghan soldiers and the people of the Kherwar district.

“This just reaffirms that they’re getting it, that they understand,” said Fryberger.  “They’re doing extremely well now that they’re being given the chance to be in charge.”