Air Force Commander Says They Are "Crucial To Afghanistan's
Future"
Joint expeditionary tasked airmen have two commanders: an Army
commander responsible for their day-to-day missions, and an Air
Force commander responsible for their administrative and
operational control. And both sing the praises of their airmen.
U.S. Air Force Photo
Army Lt. Col. Matt Smith, the task force commander here, said
airmen are crucial in ensuring the joint and combined services
achieve their missions. "Airmen help fill a critical function in
our headquarters and are doing an exceptional job - every one of
them," he said. "One of my greatest fears is if the Air Force
leaves us here; our operations run like a charm because of our
airmen."
The wing commander responsible for all JET airmen in Afghanistan
said airmen supporting the joint fight are examples of the Air
Force's "all in" approach to the conflict. "Mentoring and
partnering with the Army, Navy and Afghan forces are crucial to
this war effort," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Steven L. Kwast, 455th
Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "Every airman has to be all in;
you'll be more focused on the mission, and you'll ultimately be a
better airman and person. Airmen will do anything [the joint
community asks] of us, as long as we're trained to do the job
correctly." JET airmen are crucial to Afghanistan's future, Kwast
said, noting that embedded training teams here are empowered to
teach and mentor their Afghan counterparts.
Airmen at the Paktia Regional Medical Hospital mentor Afghans in
techniques that might seem like the basics back home, but are
revolutionary in this part of the world. "We helped them safely
transport blood from our hospital to another for the first time in
history," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Levine, a laboratory
technician at the hospital, who added that the basics of
calibration and maintenance are new ideas for Afghan technicians.
"It could have been a logistical nightmare, but now we've got a
process that's repeatable and sustainable, thanks to the
coordinated planning and efforts by airmen."
The procedures and processes being taught by the airmen are well
received by their host. Afghan National Army Col. (Dr.) Sultangal
Totakhail noted that the airmen were instrumental in ensuring the
hospital had enough supplies and blood on hand in case they were
needed as the Aug. 20 national elections drew near. "We understand
our problems," he said through a translator. "We are thankful to
the American people, and we're developing and making progress. We
believe we have a great relationship with the U.S."
Visiting airmen in the remote portions of Afghanistan, Kwast
told them they are extremely important to this war. "Victory in
counterinsurgency is getting the Afghans to believe we're here to
help them defeat the enemy; that will win this war overnight," he
told the airmen. "The moment that they believe we're here for the
long haul to help them, we've won."
U.S. Air Force Photo
"This war isn't about dropping bombs, or how many of the enemy
we can kill," he continued. "It's about bringing hope to the Afghan
people, and teaching them to do this for themselves."
JET airmen in Afghanistan are making history, the general added.
"You're at the foundation of this war, and this war will teach you
to be a great airman and a great person," he said. "You'll be able
to look back on this time here and tell your grand kids that you
were at the bedrock of success of this great nation."
ANN Salutes Air Force Capt. David Faggard serving in the 455th
Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs office.