Spirit of America

Army Combating Insurgents by Training Afghan Security Forces

Army LTC Jody Nelson and Special Troops Battalion seeking supplies to enhance morale and capability of Afghan Security Forces in Nangarhar

Lieutenant Colonel Jody Nelson is the Commander of a Special Troops Battalion in Nangarhar Province on the eastern border with Pakistan. LTC Nelson shared that the insurgents here "live among the people, quietly conducting an insurgency through corruption and coercion." LTC Nelson and her battalion combat the insurgency in a large part by encouraging, equipping and training local security forces. Since these forces are often under-resourced which is not only demoralizing but also practically inefficient, supplies such as flashlights, tshirts, socks, rain ponchos, and blankets can make a critical difference.

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What Is Need and Why It Matters
LTC Nelson provided a wonderfully detailed account of the need in her area and how it will make a tangible difference for the Army's ability to carry out their mission to mute the impact of the insurgency in Nangarhar.

My name is LTC Jody Nelson, and I am the commander of a 760 Soldier Special Troops Battalion in Nangarhar Afghanistan, we are known as TF Gryphon. My area of operations has over 1.5 million people and is densely populated in some areas, but there is only 1 major city and it is not what you would deem modern at all. Power is intermittent (maybe 3 hours for a couple of light bulbs in a shop). My Soldiers are currently partnered with Afghan national Police, Afghan National Army Soldiers, as well as Afghan Border Police to assist in the training and the development of these fine Afghan men and in some cases women and increase their operational capacity. Our end goal is to leave them able to plan and conduct their own operations. Right now, we are at the intermediate step of working together to have them plan operations using coalition forces resources as they don’t even have the basic materials to do that.

Nangarhar is one of the more modern places outside of Kabul, the while there is less violence here, there is still an insurgent fight, just one of a different kind; the insurgents live here among the people, quietly conducting an insurgency through corruption and coercion. So, as the commander, my fight is multifaceted – For the Afghan National Police, who work in Villages in the districts - I have to keep them from feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by the insurgents, knowing the CAN overcome and fight them, while keeping the people of the villages confident in the polices ability. On the Afghan National Army and Afghan Border Police front – I have to help them understand that while they are under resourced, often living in extremely austere conditions in the mountaintops bordering Pakistan, they are a more superior force with Coalition backing. We have won many more fights and the Taliban are cowards.

The Art of Negotiation-LTC Nelson sits down with village elders

These men join the military because they are proud of their country – they see the US Military as guests and are willing to die before they will let us lead the way. They put themselves in danger before any of us, without complaint. But they do so without the basic necessities – flashlights, raincoats, winter coats, socks, tshirts, gloves, hats. They often wear sandals with their uniforms, they have no coats for the winter months or the ones they were issued are 3 years old and are no longer serviceable. They get to all their locations in the back of ranger pick up trucks with no protection from the wind, or they are sitting on mountain tops with only wood fires to keep warm. The coalition forces are resourced so well with night vision devices, weapons, etc. and these men are by our sides with nothing, yet expected to fight the same battles and enemy.

I am honored and humbled by their ability to fight the enemy as well as they do. It is truly impressive. These men feel a deep need to protect us as well as the people of Nangarhar. They are proud and are not often willing to admit they have a need. Only through my interpreter did I find the need...."

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