British-style training facility helps Afghan Army take on the Taliban

The ANA training base at Camp Tombstone in Shorabak, Helmand province, is the purpose built training establishment for all Afghan officers and soldiers who will serve in the ‘badlands’ of Helmand.

The Afghan officers and soldiers, many of whom have never been to the Helmand region before, most hailing from the Eastern and Northern Provinces, are placed into their own companies and trained by British personnel who make up the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs).

This task has been recently been taken on by 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment. The teams deliver basic and further tactical training to allow the ANA to conduct their own operations.

And according to Lieutenant Antony Gill, the Officer Commanding OMLT 2, the training conducted at Camp Tombstone is similar to that delivered in the UK:

"It is very typical of what is practised in the UK, but specifically includes theatre threats for mine and Improvised Explosive Device detection and avoidance," he explained. "As a consequence they are now finding a lot more of these before they are initiated and are able to kill and destroy."

The Camp Tombstone barracks are very much in line with the traditional British company and section organisation. A long rectangular room, lined with bunk beds, bedside lockers, floors swept and cleaned, and everything with a uniform alignment. The Section Commander, a Sergeant, has his own cabin at the end of the block and is responsible for the men and the state of the block:

"Morale is very high here," Lt Gill continued. "I am continually asked by the Afghan private soldiers, sergeants and officers when are they to go on their next operation, as many would have already been on operations before actually entering this training establishment. Their keenness and enthusiasm is great to see and great for morale for both Afghan and British troops."

The mess hall is no less similar to other military diners, with hearty meals of meatballs, rice, vegetables, mixed salad and fruit.

To further enhance the facilities, a mosque is currently under construction, following a request from the ANA. The building of the mosque has developed into a joint project being undertaken by British forces and the ANA. Project manager for the mosque, Major Marc Stevenson, Quartermaster 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Battalion, explained:

"The mosque was identified as an essential requirement for the Afghan National Army because of the location and isolation of Camp Shorabak where officers and men didn’t have a place of worship. Therefore, a jointly funded project was formed, supported by the OMLT and 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, and employing a local workforce. The project will hopefully complete within the next three weeks and will give the opportunity for worship within the training area."

The Afghan National Army Chief of the General Staff, General Bushmullah Khan, will see for himself the progress of this project and indeed the trainees when he makes a visit to review the training establishment in the near future.

For Lt Gill the future is very promising for the Afghan Army soldiers:

"The key point to note here is that the Afghan Army are taking the fight forward. There is only a small amount of embedded British soldiers in each company of 70 Afghans, but it is now increasingly Afghan-led and is showing that they play a significant role in the security of their country. This will undoubtedly require further and increased training here to keep up with the pace of this ever changing theatre of operations.

"The Afghan National Army are becoming a force to be reckoned with and their successes are starting to speak for themselves. They are well trained and want to fight to rid their country of insurgents."