FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (Nov. 12, 2009) - Operations Group Alpha of the Battle Command Training Program conducted a training seminar on Afghanistan Oct. 30 at Kansas State University.
The seminar was for members of Operations Group A to expand their operational knowledge of non-military actions in Afghanistan, as well as to broaden the understanding of the cultural and tribal effects associated with the region. The seminar was conducted in the Big 12 Room at the K-State Student Union.
The first seminar was about the current actions of the Kansas National Guard Agro-Development Teams in Afghanistan. Retired Lt. Col. Craig Beardsley, program administrator for the National Biosecurity Center at the university, discussed the roles, missions, selection and training of ADTs for Afghanistan. He offered insight from recent in-country ADT experiences.
Agriculture makes up 45 percent of the country's gross national product and employs 70 percent of the population.
The ADTs are comprised of 64 Soldiers and Airmen. Some work on agriculture assessments and assistance and some act as support and security for the team.
Kansas State University continues to provide support when the team is in Afghanistan, Beardsley said. The bureau works on questions from the team, finds answers to those questions and relays them back. Videoteleconferences are planned between team members and Kansas State University faculty. The team is currently working in Laghman province.
"The team will work to identify agriculture sustainables for the country so that it can continue to benefit the country after the U.S. leaves," Beardsley said.
The next seminar was on the subject of promoting sustainable agriculture in Afghanistan, presented by David and Debra Frey. They discussed the nature of the Grain Industry Alliance International's work with Afghan agricultural producers. They offered Operations Group Alpha insightful personal perspectives and experiences from their work.
The Freys have both spent time in Afghanistan working on sustainable agriculture. David Frey spent 27 years with the Kansas Wheat Commission and recently served as the director of the Grain Industry Alliance International in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Their work in the country included cold storage of grains, development of bakers' and millers' associations, flour production, and food sanitation.
Dr. Yar Ebadi, dean of the College of Business Administration at KSU, discussed the re-emergence of higher education in Afghanistan and the Kabul University Project. The project started by Ebadi seeks to rebuild the university after years of neglect and destruction during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Ebadi moved to the United States from Afghanistan following the Soviet invasion in 1979. His insights were profound and gave the officers of Operations Group Alpha a unique and personal perspective of the country.
Ebadi served as interim dean of the college in 1995, associate dean 1992-95 and department head of management 1988-92. He has also served as the Robin Hagens Maupin Chair in Business since 1992. Before coming to K-State, Ebadi held various faculty positions at Kabul University in Afghanistan and Indiana University. He received his bachelor's degree from Kabul University.
He discussed the challenge of working with a population that is divided into a wide variety of ethnic groups. According to the CIA World Factbook, Afghanistan is 42 percent Pashtun, 27 percent Tajik, 9 percent Hazara, and 9 percent Uzbek.
Ebadi asked the members of Operations Group Alpha, "Why do you continue to return to Afghanistan (and harm's way) to do your duty'"
Ebadi thanked them for their service and what they provide to his native country.
The final seminar was a contemporary historical perspective of military operations in Afghanistan presented by former U.S. Army Special Operations officer Mark Nutsch. He led an Operational Detachment Alpha in Afghanistan that worked closely with the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance fighters in the fight for Mazar-e Sharif.
Traveling by horseback miles each day, with little food, water or supplies, Nutsch led his 12-member team deep behind enemy lines in Afghanistan's rugged countryside. They were "instrumental in the liberation of over 50 towns and cities; for the destruction of hundreds of Taliban vehicles, bunkers and heavy equipment; and the surrender, capture or destruction of thousands of the Taliban and al-Qaida," according to a resolution honoring Nutsch from the Kansas Legislature passed in 2002.
He encouraged members of Operations Group Alpha to prepare U.S. forces heading to Afghanistan to "transform the Afghan military within the culture and partner with them. Be a good neighbor and don't make them look like Mikey."
In other words, they don't have to be like or look like the U.S. Army to be successful.
The results of the day's professional development elicited positive comments from members of Operations Group Alpha.
"After completing two combat tours in Afghanistan, I was amazed at how much institutional knowledge Kansas State University faculty had in reference to identifying the real needs of the Afghanistan people and how the university's agri-business programs were nested with our military objectives in assisting the government of Afghanistan in meeting the needs of the Afghan people," said Lt. Col. Ken Govenettio, information observer/trainer. "Developing long-term sustainable agricultural business opportunities is a powerful aspect of denying our adversary support from the population while benefiting the people. Kansas State University is significantly contributing in a positive manner in combating the war on terrorism in Afghanistan."
"This seminar was very useful in gaining a different perspective on Afghanistan," Lt. Col. Randy Stapfer, protection observer/trainer. "We are good at seeing the problem through a military lens.
The speakers gave us a view through a civilian non-governmental agency and an agricultural development lens which will give us better insight as we prepare units for duty in Afghanistan."
Editors note: Maj. Eric D. Verzola is the public affairs observer trainer for Operations Group A, Battle Command Training Program.
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