Afghan, coalition members, help facilitate transition ceremonies

Published Aug. 3, 2011
By Capt. Jamie Humphries
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- With help from airmen of the Afghan air force and 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, transition in Afghanistan began taking place recently with security responsibilities being transfered from coalition forces to Afghan security force members in seven districts and provinces.

The first phase of transition has taken place with many ceremonies occurring in areas across the country.

Phases will continue throughout the provinces until security is completely in the hands of the Afghan government by 2014. According to Carmen Romero, NATO spokeswoman, the recent transfers put almost one-quarter of the Afghan population under the protection of their own national security forces.

Bamiyan province became the first of seven areas to be handed over from the coalition July 17.

Operating AAF Mi-17s and C-27s, mixed crews coordinated movement of distinguished Afghan government employees and military members, ground force commanders and security teams to ceremonies in each respective province.

Teams supported ceremonies in different locations including Panjshir, Mazar-e-Sharif city in Balkh province, Herat city in Herat province, Bamiyan province, Hehtar Lam city in eastern Laghman province and Lashkar Gah city in Helmand province.

"The ceremonies were spaced out over the course of seven days, but only required a one-day effort for each of the three we participated in," said Capt. Cass Cheslak, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Mi-17 adviser. Each day, we flew with mixed crews and on two of the days there was at least one all Afghan crew supporting the mission."

Working in parallel with Mi-17 support, were members of the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron who conducted airlift operations with their AAF counterparts in the movement of critical passengers and equipment with the C-27 Spartan aircraft.

Although 538th squadron members initially had difficulty receiving up-to-date details on the ceremonial events including locations and details on participants, crews coordinated with their advisees in the AAF to solidify details allowing them to facilitate the historic missions.

"The Afghan aircrew played a very important role with the distinguished visitor coordination during mission execution," said Lt. Col. Steve Sims, 538th AEAS. "They were able to establish contact numbers for the distinguished visitor representatives and get updates on the status of events. They also communicated crew duty day limitations with the representatives to ensure the mission could return."

The support provided by the squadrons was critical to ensuring transition ceremonies were carried out.

During the Lashkar Gah ceremony, Afghan authorities explained the importance of the transition for Afghan citizens and country.

"Our men have picked up good skills from coalition forces and we are now ready to take over security," explained Brig. Gen. Sheren Shah, 3rd Brigade, 215th Corps commander, Afghan National Army.

In June, President Barack Obama announced the withdrawal plans of 33,000 American troops throughout the country over the next 14 months.