Afghan forward observers

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group pose for a photo with members of the Afghan National Army Corps as Afghan MI-35 gunships fly overhead in Afghanistan. The U.S. Airmen are currently training Afghan airmen to be forward observers, the eyes and ears on the ground for Afghan pilots in cockpits of MI-35 helicopters. According to Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Afghan pilots are familiar and comfortable with the Mi-35 helicopter, an airframe well-suited to Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)

Afghan forward observer class a success

Published March 20, 2010
By Brig. Gen. Michael Boera
NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Editor's note: This post was pulled from the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan Web site and details the final day of training conducted by U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 438th Expeditionary Advisory Group. For more information about the NTM-A, see Brig. Gen. Michael Boera's blog entry and others at ntm-a.com. General Boera is the commanding general of the Combined Airpower Transition Force and commander of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.

The Afghan Forward Oberver class completed all of their objectives at the range, March 16, just prior to their graduation.

Everything happened on time for culminating event which was a significant step for the Afghans. The FO students were in place ahead of schedule in the morning, prior to the Mi-35 exercise. They met their goal for the exercise which consisted of more convoy escort scenarios than before involving hostile acts with friendly's in vicinity, and determining hostile intent.

Two Army FOs and an American Forces Network (AFN) reporter were dropped at the observation post by two Blackhawks during the second live-fire event for the class. The Afghans setup for the class using the same equipment as American FOs, and then called in two Apache's with 2.75" rockets and 30mm guns. The Afghan FO students learned the same material as American FOs, and saw a demo of 2-ship helicopter tactics. The AFN reporter was able to interview one of the Afghan students and a Combined Air Power Transition Force (CAPTF) instructor during the exercise.

1st Lt Hazem, a Joint Tactical Air Control (JTAC) candidate, stood right next to the American FOs the entire time to observe. Although it appeared to be the same he had witnessed within the class, it was a confidence boost for him knowing that he can handle JTAC training.