At Shindand, the Afghan Air Force training base, a change of command ceremony between Colonel Casali and Colonel Moioli.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Colonel Salamuddin, Deputy Afghan Commander of Shindand Airfield, Colonel J.J. Hokaj, Commander of the USAF's 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group (AEAG), Brigadier General Luigi Chiapperini, Commander of Regional Command West in Herat, and a military delegation from other Allied nations involved in the ’advising“ mission.
Colonel Luigi Casali, in his speech, highlighted the daily work of awareness-raising and encouragement carried out by his team for the Afghan personnel, aimed at fostering individual consciousness and a sense of belonging to the Unit and the Afghan security forces.“To date, we advise approximately 900 individuals, with around 50 Mi-17 pilots qualified in 2012 and 148 servicemen graduated from various specialisation courses.”In recent months, the Afghan air base has seen its personnel numbers increase: Afghan servicemen have now grown from 300 to 900 men, and from only the MI-17 to four different training lines.
The incoming Commander, Colonel Moioli, thanked his predecessor for the work done and reiterated the commitment to providing continuity for future training. The next objective will be to train Afghan personnel so that they are able to deliver lessons autonomously, as is already happening in the communications and aircraft refueling sectors, thanks to the trainers' courses.
The event concluded with a brief speech from the highest authority, General Chiapperini, who, after wishing those present a safe return home, highlighted the importance and commitment of the outgoing Italian team for the professionalism and dedication shown to the project.
The “advisory” work carried out to date has led to significant results, such as the Afghan communications team’s ability to conduct training independently on basic computer skills, MS Word, Excel and basic networking; the Afghan POL (Pipe On Line) section’s ability to conduct training independently; the delivery of specialist courses for Afghan personnel in the fire safety sector; and the Afghan clinic’s ability to maintain a 24-hour shift system. Furthermore, in a few months’ time, Afghan infrastructure staff will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of 25% of the airport buildings, with this figure rising to 100% in less than two years.
ENGLISH VERSION
Shindand: Transfer of Authority for 838th AEAG/ASAAT ITAF Senior Advisor.
SHINDAND- Afghanistan, 28-03-12: At the military airport of Shindand, the handover ceremony between Col. Luigi Casali (Italian Air Force), commander of the outgoing team of advisors, and Col. Efrem Moioli (Italian Air Force), the incoming commander, concludes the change between the third and fourth team of the Italian Air Force Airbase Support Air Advisory Team (ASAAT), a programme that started over a year ago.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Col Salamuddin (Afghan Air Force), Deputy Commander of Shindand Air Base, Col. John J. Hokaj, (U.S. Air Force) Commander of the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, and Brig Gen Chiapperini, RC West Commander.
Col. CAsali, during his speech, highlighted his team's daily work, aimed at developing leaders and establishing enduring institutional capacity to enable accountable Afghan-led security.
The incoming commander of the 4th team of Italian advisors, Col. Moioli, thanked Col. Casali for his work and reiterated its commitment to provide continuous training and advising for the future.
The event concluded with a short speech by Gen. Chiapperini, in which he wished those present a safe journey home, and stressed the importance and commitment of the outgoing Italian team, and the significant achievements that were reached thanks to their professionalism and dedication to the project.
The team, working embedded with the USAF 838th AEAG, has been training and advising Afghan personnel at Shindand Air Base airport, the main training facility for the Afghan Air Force. In this context, they have conducted activities such as the organisation and implementation of courses related to flight operations, infrastructure, communications and Information Systems, Transport, Materials Management, Fire Emergency Procedures, POL (Petroleum Oil Lubricants), Health, Billeting and food, and base Security.
The mission began in November 2010 and consists of 29 Italian Air Force officers and NCOs, who work as mentors and advisers for the AAF and were qualified at the Centre for Teaching and Managerial Education in Florence. Italy, in cooperation with Hungary, also provides an instructor team for the Mi 17 AAT programme.
Objective reached:
STAFF:
Improved SAW personnel accountability through the development of software (adopted by 438 AEW/ J1A) aimed at tracking daily present for duty/absences, drastically reducing personnel mismatches.
Computerised the daily reports of SAW G1s.
COMMUNICATION:
Completed 8 basic computer courses (PC Basic, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and Networking) for a total of 150 Afghan soldiers.
Undertook and completed Level 3 training in the basic maintenance of telecommunications systems.
The first round of basic computer skills courses, entirely taught by AAF personnel who had been trained by coalition advisors, was implemented.
MEDICAL
Enhanced the AAF clinic's first aid capabilities through multiple BLS (basic life support) courses adhering to PHTLS protocols; provided hands-on instruction on creating a Triage Sieve in accordance with MIMMS international protocol.
For the first time, an AAF doctor is conducting first aid courses for AAF Security Forces and for AAF Firefighters. The AAF doctor is also conducting aerospace medicine courses for flight personnel.
LOGISTICS:
Following Level 3 training conducted by the advisors, AAF POL operators have achieved initial operational capability and are undertaking basic on-the-job training for newly assigned personnel.
Organised and implemented Level 3 training classes for AAF fire fighters personnel.
Completed 5 basic vehicle courses, resulting in 24 licences issued and qualified 2 AAF personnel as driving instructors.
CIVIL ENGINEERING:
”Power and Generation": AAF personnel achieved full autonomy in the performance monitoring of systems and fuel requirements.
Advised CE SQN leadership on multiple projects within SAW, to include a new motor pool area. SECURITY FORCES:
Fully integrated with coalition advisers on Level 3 and Level 2 training activities
FINANCE:
Advised AAF finance personnel regarding the optimisation of payroll requirements for AAF personnel of SAW in synergy with the AAF G1 office, resulting in personnel payrolls being issued in accordance with national rules. INTEL:
Advising on activities in conjunction with coalition forces aimed at improving the operational capabilities of the Special Air Warfare (SAW) unit.
