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CAPTF armament advisor makes Afghans proud

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Master Sgt. Raymond Rogers Jr. stands and watches two Afghanistan National Army Air Corps weapon loaders put new 12.7 mm rounds into the Yak-B Gatling gun of an MI-35 Hind E attack helicopter. He stands with a smile on his face. The kind of smile a proud parent or teacher could understand.

For Sergeant Rogers, 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron armament and ammunition flight advisor, the year he's spent supporting the Combined Air Power Transition Force effort to build a professional air force for Afghanistan has been richly rewarding.

"When I first got here we had nine Afghans assigned to us and they had no knowledge of how to execute this mission," said Sergeant Rogers, who is deployed from Seymour -Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. "To see these guys go from knowing nothing about loading weapons on these airframes to conducting the mission with me just standing here watching is something that fills me with pride."

With help from Czech Republic and Hungarian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team members, Sergeant Rogers trained 17 ANAAC soldiers on MI-35 and MI-17 weapons loading and unloading, armament storage, safety, weapons accountability, NATO standards and leadership skills.

"Sergeant Rogers has been a great mentor for us," said Master Sgt. Abdul Wahid, ANAAC weapons loader. "He has shared his knowledge and helped us learn to put weapons on our aircraft to protect Afghans. He makes us proud."

Recently ANAAC Mi-35 aircrews completed two milestones. First, they were employed to neutralize Taliban Forces in the Baghlan Province, their first kinetic operation since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. The other was a mission where Mi-35 aircrews provided armed escort to Mi-17 helicopters transporting Afghanistan National Army soldiers to a forward location.

"Both those mission required ANAAC weapons loaders to do their job the right way in order for those Mi-35 aircrews to be effective on the battlefield," said Sergeant Rogers, a native of Eliot, Maine. "This is what this deployment has been about for me, helping the Afghans take care of their nation's security and protect its citizens. To have a hand in helping out with that is something I will never forget.

While teaching the Afghans the weapons loadings skills for MI-35 and MI-17 aircrews to be effective on the battle field, Sergeant Rogers also taught his ANAAC soldiers another important skill ... how to throw a football.

"It's fun to throw the ball around sometimes," said Sergeant Pacha Ghul, ANAAC weapons loader. "I am actually better when I kick it. My arm is not so good."

The ANAAC weapons loaders often throw the ball around as a way to bond and share American culture with Sergeant Rogers.

"They are not quite ready to run routes yet, but they'll get there one day," said Sergeant Rogers, laughing out loud. "These guys have become like my family and we've all grown together. They may have learned from me but I have learned a lot from them."

With his tour winding up Sergeant Rogers can't wait to see what the future holds for Afghanistan.

"This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life," the 20-year Air Force veteran said. "I can't wait to see how far they come in the next year or two. I can't wait to see what's next, the future looks bright for Afghanistan and I'm glad to have had a small part in that hopeful future."