2-4 Infantry Soldiers continue to advise, assist Afghan forces

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), have spent the past three months in Parwan Province coaching their Afghan National Security Forces counterparts, ensuring accurate reporting after major operations and building relationships that are vital for future operations.

Battalion leaders said the unit has been successful in current operations through its Security For-ces Advise and Assist Team, which consists of key leaders and a security element known as Guardian Angels.

The SFAAT is a mobile advising team capable of rapidly moving to any location in Regional Command-East and providing the ANSF with assistance.

?"Overall, I?'ve enjoyed being a part of the Afghanistan SFAAT mission," said 1st Lt. Robert Krue-ger, who currently serves as a logistical adviser with the 2-4 Infan- try SFAAT.

?"I see it as a chance to help develop a (struggling) country into a place where the future generations will have a chance at success, pro-gress and peace," he added.

Krueger has worked with his logistical counterpart in Parwan Province since the battalion?'s arrival at Bagram Airfield. A part of his duties is providing expert advice to help Afghans maintain accountability of equipment.

Capt. Bud Brown, an intelligence officer with 2-4 Infantry SFAAT, said listening is a very important part of advising.

?"Hearing my counterpart speak his mind about how the Taliban formed, the role of religion, why some areas are safer than others, and loyalties, such as tribal affiliation -- with that, I am able to understand who I am advising," he said.

During advising missions, Brown helps mentor the Afghan reconnaissance officer in the Operations Coordination Center -- Provincial.

The OCC-P, which is the liaison and reporting center in Parwan Province between the Afghan Army and the Afghan police, is located in the province?'s capital city of Charikar.

The center is led by an Afghan army general who typically speaks to the SFAAT commander while the OCC-P staff is paired with the SFAAT advisers.

Each pair is then able to complete the objective of that day?'s visit within their unique field.

?"It is important to not focus on the problem at hand, but to understand the root of the problems," Brown explained. ?"This is important in order to have a successful advising relationship."

The ANSF have planned and operated independently in Charikar, reaching a level of competence that allows the SFAAT to simply offer advice on planning operations or provide different perspectives.

Many ANSF officers have been formally educated in military schools, which has allowed them to understand the technical and tactical demands of their difficult jobs.

Additionally, the training enables them to operate as a capable, fully qualified and self-sustaining element.