Coalition Joint Task Force Phoenix

Coalition Joint Task Force PHOENIX executes a broad-based training, mentoring, and assistance program in order to enable the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) to field a mission-ready Central Corps NLT June 2004.

Comprised of National Guard units from more than 20 states, along with the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, and contingents from seven different countries, the Task Force Phoenix mission is to train the Afghan National Army, which will contribute to stability of the country and help prevent the re-emergence of terrorism.

CJTF Phoenix and OMC-A will accomplish its mission by assisting the ANA in areas ranging from recruiting to combat operations. The road map we're using to build this Army has many different intersections. It begins with a recruiting effort that spans Afghanistan. New recruits are assigned to ANA Kandak's (battalions) when they in-process at their recruiting station. New recruits begin their service at the Kabul Military High School where they undergo a MEPPs like processing. After a week of orientation they report to the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC). KMTC offers basic training, NCO course and officer's course. A Kandak consist of approximately 750-800 soldiers. Upon arrival to KMTC soldiers are broken into enlisted basic training, the NCO course and the officer's course. Towards the end of the Kandak's training the NCO's and officers will re-join their Kandak before graduation and assignment to an ANA Corps (division) unit.

KMTC's basic training cadre is made up of ANA drill instructors The US provides mentors for their DI's. The NCO course is currently supervised by the UK's Gurkha Rifles. The NCO course is divided into three categories. First, the basic NCO course is now taught by ANA senior NCO's. Second, the senior sergeants course is currently led by the Gurkha's and third is the Combat Leaders Course (CLC). The CLC is comprised of both NCO's and officers that have completed their basic course. The officer basic course at KMTC is currently supervised by the French. The French are also in the process of building a CGSC facility in central Kabul for senior officers. The current projected completion of the CGSC facility is scheduled for late February.

After a Kandak completes its basic course at KMTC it will be assigned to a corps. Central Corps headquarters is located at Pol-e-Charki Both 2nd and 3rd brigade barracks are currently under construction here also. The ANA 1st BDE is located at the Palace and provides security for the Palace as an additional tasking. 1st BDE will soon move to Dar-ol-Aman barracks in south Kabul.

Now, how do the embedded training teams (ETT) fit into all of this? The ETT's are divided into four groups. The first are the Training Assistance Group (TAG), second are the Central Corps Assistance Group (CCAG), third are the BDE training teams (BTT), and the fourth are Mobile Training Teams (MTT).

The TAG oversees doctrine and training at KMTC. The TAG is comprised of soldiers from various National Guard Regional Training Institute's (RTI). The TAG must work very closely with the KMTC ANA cadre to ensure that training will meet standards and that doctrine is established to maintain a high level of professionalism in this new army. They must also be aware to integrate customs that are inherent to Afghanistan in both training and life support operations.

The CCAG is an ETT that directly mentors the ANA Central Corps staff. The ANA Central Corps commander is a 2 star command and the CCAG covers down on the G1 through G4 staff and the Pol-e-Charki garrison.

The BTT's mentor the 3 BDE's command and staff at BDE and BN levels. These BTT's work daily with their ANA counterpart and accompany them on deployments. This allows for parallel tracking on all the BOS systems.

MTT's are use to train the ANA kandak's on specific equipment. Since most of the ANA equipment is donated from countries that use Soviet style equipment the MTT's bring specialized training experience in these systems. The CS and CSS kandak's receive their training once they report to their assigned BDE. Currently there is not a separate AIT school for every MOS.

The primary goal of CJTF Phoenix is to enable the ANA to sustain operations in garrison and deployments. Logistic is one area that CJTF Phoenix focuses on as a priority effort for the ANA. Both equipment and monetary donations are made to the ANA but they must first be accounted for by CJTF Phoenix. Both the property book and accounting books are maintained at Camp Phoenix. A considerable effort is being made to transfer property book and logistical sustained operations to the ANA.

As one could imagine there are many challenges with training an army from the ground up. CJTF Phoenix is comprised of National Guard soldiers from over 20 different states, active duty and reserve units. We have marines and coalition forces from more then 6 different countries. The soldiers and officers of the Afghan National Army are proud to be serving their country. By their service they provide a safe, secure and stable environment in which government, economic and civil institutions may develop and become self-sufficient.

The Brigade HHC and staff maintain a 24-hour operation at Phoenix. All operations of the Task Force are coordinated and directed by the headquarters staff. All actions from combat, training, logistical or administrative have their origins in the Tactical Operations Center (TOC). Information is the coin of the realm here. Radio, telephone, most importantly secret and open email messages, are transmitted from sound and digits into action. Meetings are conducted daily that ensure synchronization of plans and logisticians. The staff operates at a level of proficiency that is the envy of other organizations in theatre. They are supported by the members of HHC that insure adequate supplies and administration are provided.