Afghanistan: year in review

KABUL, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Jan. 3, 2006) – One year can change the face of a nation. Afghanistan made significant advancements in 2005 toward autonomy and security. The changes started in the first few days of the new year.

The Ghazni Province held a women’s shura, or council, with the help of the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team. The shura proposed to give the women of Ghazni more of a voice in government and was supported by the governor of Ghazni, Asadullah Khalid.

Afghanistan’s 120 cadets took their place in history when they reported for duty at the new National Military Academy of Afghanistan in Kabul. The academy, modeled after the U.S. Military Academy, is a four-year, degree-granting institution for commissioning second lieutenants for the Afghan National Army.

During opening ceremonies, Abdul Rahim Wardak, Afghanistan’s minister of defense, described the academy’s role as vital to the future of the country, saying it will produce “loyal, professional and true leaders for Afghanistan’s future without any ethnic, language and tribal distinction.”

In March, the National Army Volunteer Center, a recruiting station for the Afghan National Army, opened in the Panjshir Valley. This area is immersed in the history for the struggle for Afghan independence.

Afghan democracy also took a step forward with the opening of the Guzara and Obe district courthouses in the Herat Province under the Afghanistan Rule of Law Project.

“After 25 years of warfare and the destruction or decay of so many courthouses, this event celebrates a new beginning,” said Inge Frylund, a rule of law adviser with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Later, coalition members helped dedicate a new school in Ahmad Aba, in Paktya Province.

“After so many years of warfare, I realize that there are a lot of projects that need to be done in Afghanistan. We need roads, and we need hospitals, and we need businesses, but of all these things, I believe that education is perhaps the most important,” said Lt. Col. Brendan O’Shea, the reconstruction team commander.

Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry assumed command of Combined Forces Command, Afghanistan in early May from Lt. Gen. David Barno. In his remarks, Eikenberry thanked U.S. and Coalition troops for their devotion to duty and pledged to continue Barno’s efforts.

“We will continue to work together, build security forces and support the rebuilding of Afghanistan,” he said. “Our mission will continue in the same direction … working with the United Nations, Coalition forces, and most importantly, the Afghan government.”

The Afghan government also introduced its Tahkim-e Solh (Strengthening Peace) program to reintegrate noncriminal combatants and insurgents, including low-level members of the Taliban. Professor Sibghatullah Al-Mojaddedi, who announced the program, encouraged Afghans to live together as brothers as their grandparents lived in the past and to not allow enemies to break them apart.

The 36th class graduated from the Afghan National Army’s basic training at the Kabul Military Training Center, bringing their troop levels to approximately 25,000.

The Afghan National Police also made gains, with the graduation of 11 officers from a crime scene investigation course.

“The CSI course is only one of many ways in which the ANP is improving their skills,” said Dave Barrington, an ANP mentor employed by DynCorp International. “Together with cooperation from the Afghan government, the Office of Military Cooperation – Afghanistan and Germany, the lead nation for Afghan National Police reform, we are making significant progress in rebuilding the capabilities of the local police.”

Another milestone was met in early July, when the first class of Afghan National Army soldiers graduated from an advanced mine countermeasures course taught by a French army captain. Taking part in the five weeks of training were soldiers from the ANA’s Engineer Company, 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps, Combat Support Kandak Battalion.

The opening of a renovated bank, the first in Kabul since 2001, signaled economic opportunity for Afghans and reliable payroll for government officials and ANA and ANP soldier and officers.

“There have been a lot of issues in getting government workers paid due to the financial infrastructure in this country,” said Lt. Col. Christopher M. Nolta, a Coalition engineer and liaison officer with the Afghan government. “This bank’s opening will make getting officials paid a lot easier, and that will increase the stability and security of this country in a big way.”

Canada assumed command of the reconstruction team in Kandahar, one of the provinces in Regional Command South, which is scheduled to be transferred to NATO control in 2006.

“This transfer of authority marks the beginning of a significant transition to what will ultimately be a NATO-led effort,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jack Sterling, deputy commander for Combined Joint Task Force 76. “The U.S. remains committed to doing our part in the strengthening of democracy here in Kandahar province and throughout Afghanistan.”

Also in August, the ANP grew in ranks and capability as the Kabul Police Academy graduated the first class of officers from its comprehensive, three-year training course. The 210 cadets spent 3,400 hours studying 23 subjects ranging from criminal investigations and social sciences to police tactics and operations.

September brought more change with the opening of the first paved road, aptly named “The Road of the Future,” in Paktika Province, The province’s governor, Gulab Mangal, described the road as a visible symbol of the improving quality of life and infrastructure that come with peace in the province. Afghan masons and laborers finished the 2.6-kilometer road in three months using large stones, assuring it will last many years.

On a momentous day, ANA troops and ANP officers, with a little help from Coalition forces, ensured the safety of 6.4 million voters in the national assembly elections on Sept. 18.

In an apparent response to the elections, more than a dozen former enemy combatants in Kunar Province approached Afghan government officials to express their intent to join the the Takhim-E Solh program.

“These developments illustrate that the government of Afghanistan’s successful parliamentary elections are signaling a beginning of the end for the enemies of Afghanistan,” said Brig. Gen. James G. Champion, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force 76.

Later in October, a veterinary clinic opened in Parwan Province. Sgt. Pedro Meza, a project officer with the Bagram PRT, described the project as critical to reconstruction.

“If the people have the resources to take care of their animals, then livestock can bring life to the economy,” he said.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior improved its ability to provide safety and security for the people of Afghanistan by dramatically rearranging its leadership and pay structures. In part by reducing the number of general officers, the ministry created a more efficient force, with clearer chains of command and communication.

“We want to increase the capabilities of our force to create a secure environment for Afghan families, businesses and communities,” said Yousuf Stanizai,spokesman for the Ministry of Interior. “Having too many general officers undervalues the meaning of rank and can damage the discipline within an organization. This is something we want to avoid.”

The ANA and ANP secured Kabul as Afghanistan’s first parliament in more than 35 years. More than 6,500 members of the Afghan security forces worked together to provide security for the dignitaries and nearly 2 million residents.

“It was a great team effort - to secure an important moment in history for the Afghan people – the ANA and ANP working together for the good of the national security,” said the Afghanistan chief of staff for the Office of Security Cooperation, Col. Thomas Pope.

Also in December, Khatol Mohammadzai, an officer in the Afghan National Army, became the first Afghan woman inducted into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame in Washington D.C.

“Being invited to America is something I never thought would happen. I broke all the chains women have faced in my country to be here today,” she said. “I am honored to be here with other strong women from all over the world.”

(Editor's note: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jess Harvey serves with the Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs. Information in this article was compiled from stories and news releases published throughout 2005 by the public affairs office of Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan.)

Afghanistan – One year can change the face of a nation. Afghanistan made significant advancements in 2005 toward autonomy and security. The changes started in the first few days of the new year.
“It was a great team effort - to secure an important moment in history for the Afghan people – the ANA and ANP working together for the good of the national security,” said the Afghanistan chief of staff for the Office of Security Cooperation, Col. Thomas Pope.

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