|
Malo pr-a na temu napravili smo nesto od avganistanske vojske/bice nesto od njih...
Citat:Getting Better
An important thing, the general said, “is that they applied and learned lessons from one operation to the next. They got better. And the things they struggled with in one operation, we saw improvements on in the next one, particularly in their ability to integrate their air and … their artillery.”
They had more trouble in response to crisis situations, Shoffner said.
“It required more time to get forces in position, and then it required more time to stabilize the situation,” he added. “They did get somewhat better at crisis response, but that remains one of their weaknesses and one of the areas they're going to have to continue to focus on into 2016.”
The soldiers also fought well during the year, he said, noting that the Taliban made temporary gains but could not hold ground or govern.
“The best example of that is the fact that the Afghan security forces retook the city of Kunduz, which is a city of over 300,000 people, in just seven days. This was a crisis response … but they did fairly well. And seven days to secure a city that size is not insignificant,”the general said.
Reset and Refit
The fighting season in Afghanistan used to begin in May and end around November, but now fighting takes place year-round, Shoffner said, and the operational tempo has been so high that the army needs time to reset and refit its force.
The general characterized the Afghanistan security situation as manageable in the north, east and west.
“There are [still] challenges in the east, particularly in Nangarhar. The south, particularly in Helmand, remains contested, but we expected … the Taliban to hold on to what has been traditionally the heart of their support base,” he said.
Shoffner said one major effort over the winter will be to rebuild the Afghan National Army's 215 Corps, which has responsibility for Helmand.
Ready for 2016
This year the Afghan security forces must do several things to be effective, Shoffner said. They have to implement a force readiness cycle and reduce the number of checkpoints in the country, moving to strong points that are well defended and that give them more available combat power.
They also have to make tough leadership choices, the general said.
“They've got some leaders that need to be replaced, [and] they've got some leaders that are corrupt that need to go. The Afghan security forces are making these changes,” Shoffner said.
In the 215 Corps, for example, the corps commander, two brigade commanders and several key staff members have been replaced.
The Afghan army also will focus on recruiting, given its shortfall of about 25,000 troops, Shoffner said, and on building capacity.
Building Capacity
Last week the first four of 20 A-29 Super Tucano close-air-support aircraft arrived and will go into service around April, the general said. The soldiers also for the first time used the MD-530 light-reconnaissance helicopter “with great effect over the fall,” he added.
Afghanistan’s special forces are increasingly capable, Shoffner said, noting the assessment is “that they’re the best in the region.” On the conventional side, the army also has seen successes, he said.
Beyond the improvements of the Afghanistan security forces, Shoffner said a second round of quadrilateral peace talks are occurring in Kabul this week. Participants include officials from the Afghan and Pakistani governments, with the United States and China observing.
“This is an important step,” the general observed.
[Link mogu videti samo ulogovani korisnici]
|
[Link mogu videti samo ulogovani korisnici]
