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Afghan general reiterates partnership between Afghan, Coalition forces

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kenny Holston
  • 205th Coalition Mentor Team Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  As he took the stage, he adjusted his glasses and ran his fingers through his snow white hair. He gripped the pinewood podium with both hands leaning forward while senior officers and enlisted military personnel adjusted their headphones to receive a clear translation.

Brigadier Gen. Shear Mohammad Zazai, Afghan National Army 205th Corps commander, set out to share wisdom and spread knowledge during his speech at a three-day counterinsurgency (COIN) seminar at the COIN training center in Kabul, Afghanistan March 17.

After success with operations conducted in Marjah, General Zazai and his troops are staying focused and continuing to incorporate COIN as they enter into phase three operations set to take place in Kandahar.

Realizing that the cohesion between Afghan and Coalition forces was a big factor in helping gain mission success in Marjah, General Zazai centered his speech at the COIN seminar on that very topic.

"Sturdy partnership between Afghan and Coalition forces has gotten us over several hurdles and propelled us to where we are now," the general said. "We must continue to enhance this type of partnership if we want to continue to be successful."

As General Zazai continued to discuss unity between the forces, one analogy he used really hit home for several in attendance.

"The left hand washes the right hand and the right hand washes the left," he said. "But, both hands wash the face. We have to work together as a cohesive unit."

And, harmony can only come with one thing - understanding of each other's culture.

Coalition forces must take the time to learn and understand the Afghan way of life, all the way down to the small things such as learning to sit cross legged on the ground when visiting local Afghans in their villages during troop patrols, General Zazai said.

"General Zazai's comment demonstrating the need to understand their culture was brilliant," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Angela Vazquez, 2nd Air Force historian, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. "It's such a simple thing and a simple way to show respect. I feel that is vital here."

While there are tremendous cultural differences between the western and Afghan way of life, members of Coalition forces know they can still learn a lot from the Afghan people.

"We all know the cultural differences between the Afghans and westerners are vast," Sergeant Vazquez said. "But, I think many of us realize and understand that we have just as much to learn from their culture, as they do from us, more so in the terms of family and tribal loyalty."

Even though COIN has been the foundation of troop efforts here in Afghanistan, many still realize the challenges and obstacles that must be overcome in order for COIN to have a full and powerful effect.

"COIN is challenging," Sergeant Vazquez said. "You're asking kinetic driven people, 'trigger pullers,' to restrain, but I understand that that's what COIN is all about. The most important shot is the shot that we don't take. That's such a challenging mindset and is something none of us thought we would be focusing on when we put on our combat boots."

COIN is a mindset that requires troop's constant vigilance, according to the Commander of NATO and U.S. troops in Afghanistan U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McCrystal.

It's not completely about making friends with everybody but rather protecting the people and separating the insurgents from them. If Afghan and coalition forces accomplish this, insurgents will be unable to hide in plain sight, he said.

Several troops on the ground in Afghanistan agree with General McCrystal's plan and way of thinking.

"I can't find fault with General McCrystal's program at all," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Schenker, senior advisor COIN Training Center, Afghanistan. "I think COIN operations are the only way we are ever going to win this war. I have heard General McCrystal say that several times, and after working here at the COIN training center and developing a vast understanding for COIN, I can honestly say I believe that."

As General Zazai ended the conference, he reminded the senior leaders that the Afghan forces are the eyes and ears of this war, while the Coalition forces serve as the hands and arms, thus making the partnership between the two forces strong and important.