Combined Planning Leads To Afghan Success

Combined Planning Leads To Afghan Success

The 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) has taken another step towards cementing its mentoring relationship with the Afghan National Army recently.

Key personnel from the ANA’s 4th Brigade met with members of MRTF-2 for a series of combined planning groups for an upcoming operation.

MRTF-2 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hocking said combined planning is central to the effective mentoring and development of the ANA.

“We are building on the strong foundations we have already established with the ANA at the tactical level with our respective Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams and the numerous successful mentored operations we have conducted,” said Lieutenant Colonel Hocking.

“At Battle Group level it has been good to openly discuss our concerns about a particular area based on intelligence and look at different ways of together addressing those concerns.”

Lieutenant Colonel Hocking found the challenges of combined planning were far outweighed by the benefits of a shared understanding of how the civilian population was affected by insurgent fighters and how to disrupt this influence.

“Obviously having a good interpreter is essential for facilitating joint planning. Using two different languages to exchange information takes four times longer to discuss things. This challenge is significantly offset by the delivery of a robust plan,” he said.

4th Brigade Operations Officer, Colonel Abdul Qahar, was thankful for the combined planning opportunities.

Commanding Officer of the 4th Kandak, Lieutenant Colonel Shur Mohammed, said he enjoyed being involved in planning.

“We like doing this with our Australian mentors, they are good,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed.

Lieutenant Colonel Hocking was able to back brief Brigadier General Abdul Hamid on the concept of a planned operation after initially meeting with his staff.

“I think this operation will be good for the area and the people of Afghanistan,” said Brigadier General Hamid.

ENDS

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