Today's Focus:
Enhance COIN Operations
SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING
"Essentially, we and the insurgents are presenting an argument for the future to the people of Afghanistan: they will decide which argument is the most attractive, most convincing, and has the greatest chance of success."
- Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), emphasizing that the mission of ISAF is to protect the people of Afghanistan
ISAF Commander's Counterinsurgency Training Guidance, Page 5
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"As a whole, it is a positive portrayal. It shows the danger of war, the thankless job EOD guys have and how hard it is to take care of business. But Hollywood isn't necessarily going to get it right. It is more dramatic, more entertaining than what really happens. Observing EOD training is like watching paint dry. Most of the drama for an EOD Soldier is in his head as he thinks through a situation and how to make it safe."
- Lt. Col. Michael "Greg" Hicks, director of the EOD/Munitions Training Department at U.S. Army Ordnance Munitions & Electronic Maintenance School, giving his opinion on the Academy Award winning Hollywood movie, "The Hurt Locker."
'Hurt Locker' hits home for EOD Soldiers
CALENDAR
March 2010
Women’s History Month (Women in the U.S. Army)
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Mar. 25: Medal of Honor Day (See U.S. Army Medal of Honor Web site)
TODAY'S FOCUS
Enhance COIN Operations
What is it?
An application of the commander, International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), Gen. Stanley McChrystal's, counterinsurgency (COIN) fundamentals was demonstrated recently during the Republic of Georgia Army's 31st Light Infantry Battalion (LIB), battalion-level, mission rehearsal exercise (MRE) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany.
This MRE was the culminating exercise for the United States Marine led 2-year Georgia Deployment Program designed to train Georgian Infantry battalions for deployment in support of ISAF.
The 31st Georgian LIB executed various common mission sets in a simulated Afghanistan environment exercising soldiers' and leaders' application of COIN fundamentals. Collective training events included: area security, live-fire attacks with mortar and sniper integration, command post exercises, and cultural awareness engagements. The Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MAGTF), the primary trainers for the 31st Georgian units, collaborated with the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) in Germany to design the training event.
What has the Army done?
JMTC is the European-based training support command utilizing live, virtual, constructive, simulation, and gaming technology to provide U.S. and multinational partners' Soldiers and leaders with a realistic training experience. The 31st Georgian MRE is an example of how JMTC leverages training opportunities to joint and multi-national partners.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
Ongoing support to Afghanistan and Iraq has illustrated the importance of Allied and partner assistance in decreasing U.S. operational requirements. JMTC has the resident expertise and training capability to provide the training and training support for Soldier and leader development and improve interoperability between U.S. and partner nations. This support builds the vital trust to successfully accomplish current objectives in Afghanistan and collectively prepare for future complex, and uncertain challenges.
Why is this important to the Army?
As forces continue to serve as part of multinational operations, it is important for U.S. Soldiers to maximize opportunities to train with multinational partners. Because of proximity to other European nations and Africa, the JMTC is ideally postured to provide state-of-the-art training and build partner capacity for future ISAF support.
Resources:
See the Monthly Newsletter: COIN Common Sense
Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC)
Training capabilities offered at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
STAND-TO! NEWS
ABOUT THE ARMY
- Army makes moves toward new carbine (Army Times)
- Military's only accredited high school graduates first class (The U.S. Army)
- Ranks of amputees have risen steadily in 8 years of war (Washington Post)
- In financial peril, troops find relief (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Kosher, halal MREs feed religious diversity (Army Times)
- Steady danger — steady paycheck (South Coast Today)
- From prison stripes to sergeant's stripes (San Antonio Express News)
OVERSEAS OPERATIONS
- Likely successor emerges to lead U.S. Forces in Iraq (New York Times)
- U.S. forces on Taliban's heels (USA Today)
- Afghan bombs grow, forcing troops to adapt (Wall Street Journal)
- In Pakistan's Swat, Taliban instill fear after defeat (Reuters)
- Army chief driving Pakistan’s agenda for talks (New York Times)
- Iraqi-owned bank opens on U.S. base (The U.S. Army)
- Turkey joins Multi-National Battle Group-East (The U.S. Army)
OF INTEREST
- House votes to exempt TRICARE from health reform bill (Government Executive)
- National Guard must maintain readiness, McKinley tells panel (The U.S. Army)
- Combat vet says gender bias led to untreated PTSD (NPR)
- Iowa latest state to approve unemployment benefits for military spouses who move (Stars and Stripes)
- Military daughters draw on each other for support (NPR)
- Opinion: Proud to help -- and to fly our flag (Washington Times)
WORLD VIEW
- Taliban fighters being taught at secret camps in Iran (London Times)
- Afghan insurgents Hezb-e-Islami hold talks in Kabul (BBC)
- Decision looms for U.S. on Middle East arms supply (Financial Times)
- Bagram air base in Afghanistan 'could be new Guantanamo' (London Daily Telegraph)
- Election body rejects Iraq recount (Al Jazeera)
- Pak to raise India’s presence in Afghanistan: report (Hindustan Times)
- U.S. says it is open to nuke deal with Pakistan (Times of India)
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