America's North Shore Journal

Afghan National Army soldiers board their C-17 cargo plane for their flight to Turkey at the International Security Assistance Force airport in Kabul. These soldiers are flying to Turkey for training in leadership and the military skills required to operate as a special operations unit. The transportation and training is part of joint cooperative training and funding agreement with Turkey and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen

Afghan National Army troops boarded a C-17 cargo plane at the International Security Assistance Force airport for a flight to Turkey to take part in the first of a series of extensive training opportunities in securing the development and defense of Afghanistan.

The 119 ANA troops are the first group to take part in military training for several weeks of specialized operations. It will be conducted primarily by Turkish forces with assistance from American forces and includes courses in leadership along with the skills necessary to perform in the capacity of a special operations force unit.

“I already have 30 years of experience, but when the army told me about this training and that I would participate, I was excited,” said Col. Abdullah Nuri, the senior ranking officer of the 119 troops. “This is a strong opportunity to develop my skills, as an officer and as a soldier, and come back to Afghanistan to teach what I have learned to others.”

Once their training is complete, the Afghan soldiers will be split up and sent to all regions of Afghanistan to develop and conduct their own courses with their fellow soldiers.

The Afghan soldiers were selected for a variety of reasons including experience, demonstrated leadership and competent military skills, academic performance and a strong desire to perform at their best.

“This is the first time that we have worked with such a diverse force,” Nuri said. “So many nations have come to Afghanistan to help us and teach us. We need to take advantage, and use the skills they teach us to make ourselves strong, so we can be a true partner on the world stage.”

Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan funded the transportation with training provided by Turkey. The training will be ongoing with a new group of soldiers being flown to Turkey each month.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen
NTM-A