What is it'?
On June 12, 2009, the North Atlantic Council endorsed the creation of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) to oversee training and advising for the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. NTM-A stood up on Nov. 21, 2009 and merged with Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) into one integrated command under a dual-hatted commander.
NTM-A is a NATO command, with military, civilian and police professionals from 19 nations, that teams with the Afghan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior to develop the capabilities of the Afghanistan National Army and Police using a comprehensive approach. This approach coordinates the efforts of military, civilian, non-governmental and international organizations to build the capacity and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces to enable a successful transition of security responsibility.
NTM-A's mission:
NTM-A/CSTC-A, in coordination with key stakeholders, generates the Afghan National Security Forces, develops capable ministerial systems and institutions; and resources the fielded force in order to enhance the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's ability to build sustainable capacity and capability to achieve stability and security in Afghanistan.
The priorities for NTM-A:
Team with and assist the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and our coalition partners to develop and grow Afghan leaders and generate professional, competent and tactically self-reliant Afghan National Security Forces.
In 2010, grow and train the Afghan Army to 134,000 while reforming and training the police as they grow to 109,000 and partnering with the Afghan National Army Air Corps to grow and expand capacity to include 72 aircraft and 4,400 airmen.
What has the Army done?
Essential to the training mission are the trainers for the Afghan forces. The Soldiers of the first U.S. Army infantry battalion of the troop uplift were designated as trainers. More than 800 Soldiers began to arrive in Afghanistan on Jan. 10 and will have a significant impact on the trainer to trainee ratio; subsequently improving the quality of the new Afghan forces.
Why is this important?
NTM-A is generating trained and ready Afghan National Security Forces and it is these forces that will allow NATO and Coalition Forces to transition the responsibility for Afghan Security to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
This transition will also bring about a mature, enduring partnership with the global community and set the conditions for the elected government to be responsive to the needs and welfare of the Afghan people.
Social Sharing