The Commander of the “NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan” visited the third team of Italian Air Force “Advisors” at the Afghan military airport of Shindand During the intense day, the guests visited the “Regional Military Training Center”, the future training hub of the Afghan Army, and the next training hub of the Afghan Air Force (A.A.F.), where Afghan pilots will be trained.
In the presence of all the Italian and American personnel, General Bolger emphasized the strategic importance of the mission in Shindand and the vital contribution that the members of the coalition are providing to ensure the autonomy of the young Afghan Air Force.“We will do it, as we have always done, Shohna ba Shohna, Ooga pa Ooga, shoulder to shoulder“This is the motto of the “Nato Training Mission” recalled by the General. On Saturday 5 November, General Bolger assumed command of the entire NATO Training Mission Afghanistan (NTM-A) training mission, from which the NATO Air Training Command – Afghanistan (NATC-A) depends, within which the Italian Air Force Team is embedded.
The outgoing Commander, General William B. Caldwell, taking advantage of the occasion of “National Unity Day” and “Armed Forces Day”, addressed a message of greeting and thanks to all the Italian military under his command, saying: “On this day in 1918, the Italian Army won a great battle, and for the last 93 years the Italians have honored their military with this special day of thanks. We at NTM-A have the privilege of having your spirit as a heritage embedded in our international team. Among the 37 participating nations, Italy was among the first to join, and you are the true ambassadors of Italy for a safer and more peaceful Afghanistan by 2014.”. Activated in 2009, the NTM-A is composed of a coalition of 37 nations that have the task of assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability for the ’Afghan National Security Force“ (ANSF) by 2014. .
In particular, the Air Force carries out training and “advising” activities for Afghan personnel belonging to the various branches of the Shindand military airport, which will become the future training hub for the entire Afghan Air Force. The mission of the Italian team, which began on November 2, 2010, is carried out by 36 units of Italian and Hungarian Air Force officers and non-commissioned officers, who have been trained as ’Mentors/Advisors“ at the Didactic and Managerial Training Center in Florence. Of these eight Hungarian navigators, three military pilots and two Italian flight crew members are involved in the training of the Afghan Air Force on the Mi-17 helicopter.
The mission carries out daily awareness-raising and encouragement activities for Afghan personnel, aimed at fostering an increased sense of belonging to the Department and the Afghan Security Forces. In this context, activities such as the organization and implementation of courses related to flight operations and infrastructure in the following sectors are included: personnel management, operational information, financial administration, telecommunications and information technology, transportation, material management, fire control, POL (Petroleum Oil Lubricants), health care, canteen and accommodation, and security forces.
