Afghan Conflict Update – Launch of new pub about Afghanistan, ‘Women’s Police Town’, video on facilities for ANA female soldiers, a pound cake in the Korengal Valley, armory named after CST member KIA in Afghanistan, ISKP, TAAC-South Soldiers immerse in Afghan culture, Russia meddling in Afghanistan, German medical unit in TAAC-North, adapting to change, advising logistics, and more.
CST Member KIA in Afghanistan is Remembered. 1LT Ashley White-Stumpf was a member of a Cultural Support Team (CST) of the Joint Special Operations Task Force who died in 2011 in Kandahar province. She is being remembered with the naming of a National Guard armory in Greenville, North Carolina. Read “Greenville Armory Now Carries Hero’s Name”, Reflector.com, April 9, 2018.
Afghanistan – a new publication. A new publication has been launched that will come out twice a year. It will cover all subjects in the humanities including history, art, archaeology, geography, and more. It is published on behalf of the American Institutes of Afghanistan Studies, April 2018.
https://www.euppublishing.com/toc/afg/1/1
ISKP in Kabul. The Islamic State Khorasan Province has been very busy with its terrorist attacks in the capital of Afghanistan. Read more in a news report by Mukhtar A. Kahn entitled “Islamic State a Deadly Force in Kabul”, The Jamestown Foundation, April 6, 2018.
Advising Logistics in TAAC-S. A female soldier of Train, Advise, and Assist Command – South says that gender is not an issue when working with her male Afghan counterparts. Read “California National Guard female advisor breaks through barriers”, Army.mil, April 6, 2018.
Women’s Police Town. A new complex is being built on the grounds of the Afghan Ministry of the Interior Affairs will ensure that police women have a safe and secure environment to fully integrate into the Afghan police force. Canada is a big supporter of the project. (Resolute Support, Apr 9, 2018).
A Pound Cake in the Korengal Valley. A lonely soldier’s spirits is lifted when he receives a delightful package from home. “A Young Soldier Finds Comfort in An Unexpected Delivery”, NPR, April 7, 2018.
German Medical Unit in TAAC North. A mobile medical team recently participated in an Expeditionary Advisory Package (EAP) mission in Faryab province. Read “German mobile surgery unit supports soldiers in northern Afghanistan”, Resolute Support, April 9, 2018.
Russia Meddling in Afghanistan. Reports are circulating about insurgents receiving weapons and other military support from Russia. Read an opinion by Carmen Gentile in “The Russians are providing weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan but no one is listening”, USA Today, April 6, 2018.
Aid Organizations Need to Adapt. Catherine Kannam writes about the importance of adapting to change in Afghanistan in order for humanitarian and aid organizations to be effective. (Devex, Apr 5, 2018).
TAAC-South Soldiers Experience Afghan Culture. Members of the Train, Advise, and Assist Command – South recently enjoyed some Afghan food during the holiday of Nauruz. The event is a celebration of the Afghan New Year which falls on the first day of spring. Read “Afghan New Year: TAAC-South Soldiers immerse in new culture”, Fort Carson Mountaineer, April 7, 2018.
Video on Facilities for ANA Female Soldiers. A daycare center and a women’s training center will soon open for female soldiers in the Afghan National Army. Resolute Support, April 8, 2018.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=feNWUvS35ig
—–
Photo Credit: Female Police Officer of the Afghan General Command of Police Special Units fires pistol on range. (Photo by SPC Austin Boucher, NATO Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan, Apr 4, 2018). Females have been assigned to the three National Mission Units of the Ministry of Interior: CRU 222, Commando Force 333, and Afghan Territorial Unit 444.