RSCC sets 'enduring' path for next 6 months in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - Words like "enduring building" and "thinning out" were popular phrases for the way forward during the six out-briefs given by Regional Support commanders to NATO's top training commander Feb. 4 at Camp Eggers to conclude the three-day Regional Support Commanders Conference.

The flow of the speakers was frequently placed on hold as Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commanding general of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, entertained brief discussions with other supporting commanders in a lively exchange of thoughts and ideas.

In fact, it became apparent to the host and Caldwell that the RSCC was in fact the "NTM-A Synchronization Conference."

The conference was hosted by Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness, deputy commander for Regional Support (DCOM-RS), NTM-A/CSTC-A, who leads six Regional Support Commands (RSCs) throughout Afghanistan. The RSCs serve to facilitate contracting, training, and construction to support the Afghan National Security Forces in Afghanistan.

McGuiness thanked Caldwell for the "added value" his presence and comments brought to the conference. "These guys are your commanders on the ground. In any particular month, there is a lot of stuff going on," he said.

That "stuff" was clearly evident in numerous briefing slides filled with itemized data breaking down tasks in support of NTM-A via the Afghan Army and Police security forces, facilities, stewardship, operational priorities, build/structural nominations, challenges, and six- month calendar of known and projected events.

Col. Bob Wicks, commander of the RSC-Capital, briefed first.

"The bullets represent tasks that come from your guidance, sir," he said.

Regarding Afghan Army needs, Wicks said there were "a lot of projects" and that RSC-C is accomplishing them with "enduring builds" or builds meant for other than temporary or interim functions.

Based on forced growth and developments, Wicks said finding land to build on has been a challenge for the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP). "We have not been able to break the code on land," he said, explaining of the heavily populated Kabul area. Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city, has nearly 5 million people.

Wicks said that his engineers are leading projects that "build ANSF (Afghanistan National Security Force) capacity with simple and sustainable builds" that are enduring.

"You're the real test case," Caldwell told Wicks, referencing the projected "thinning out" of coalition forces in the Kabul Province. Caldwell added that logistics and maintenance is starting to become the focus.

Next up was Col. Ron Metternich of RSC-East, headquartered at Bagram Air Base.

On the topic of facilities, he said, things are moving right along.

"Most of the expansions will be completed this spring," he said. "We've grown incredibly."

Following him was Col. Mike Borg of RSC-Southwest, Camp Leatherneck.

"We're working real close with the CJ (Combined Joint) engineers," he said of new buildings, with emphasis on permanent structures. "If I can build it, I will."

Caldwell reminded all conference attendees that the No. 1 mission are "institutional builds" - training facilities to produce and develop the ANSF - "so the Afghans can take the lead."

Following Borg was Col. Brad Booth of RSC-West, Camp Stone, Herat.

Booth said his command's methodology was to train the force, professionalize the force, field the force, sustain the force, and enable the force.

"Literacy is a key factor in professionalizing the force," Booth said.

This is a common issue across ANSF regarding recruits and developing noncommissioned officers. Those police and army recruits must graduate with a 1st-grade level of literacy and NCOs must attain a 3rd-grade level. Officers in the ANSF should have the literacy of a high school graduate, doctrine states.

"Sir, literacy is important," Booth said. "You've got to get the trainers out in the field. We have a long way to go on the fielded force literacy."

"Ultimately, that's what will professionalize the force," Caldwell added. "We are doing some things that were unheard of in this country."

Second to the end was Col. Paul Calbos of RSC-North, Camp Spann, Mazar-e Sharif.

"We want to push the Afghans out front," he said of ANSF.

Calbos stated that the garrisons soon (base operating support) will be transitioned over to the Afghans to run.

"With contracting, we'll [still) help with that. I guarantee there will be some points they're not right on," he said.

Calbos said that the RSCs are the "face of NTM-A" and called his RSC unique because of its diversity with 16 nations serving at the headquarters and 20 in the field.

Last but not least was Col. Greg Baine, RSC-South, Kandahar Airfield.

His opening slide was unique in that it he personalized his RSC with the name "Titans." Baine also conveyed in that slide the slogans: "Make a difference today ... Spend like it's yours!" and "Make a difference ... today."

Baine also discussed literacy as well, and the philosophy of building a simple and sustainable Afghan infrastructure.

Winding down his brief, Baine said this: "Sir, we understand your intent. I'm confident our six-month plan will produce the enduring results you're looking for."

Caldwell closed the conference by thanking all who planned and participated in the conference.

"I just want to thank everybody for their participation. We all need to keep pushing hard to put Afghans in the lead."