An Introduction by Maj. Gen. Peter N. Fuller

Filed under DoD News by on August 30, 2011 at 11:02 am {one comment}

Maj. Gen. Peter N. Fuller Deputy Commander for Programs

By Maj. Gen. Peter N. Fuller
Deputy Commander for Programs

It seems fitting to open my blog by introducing myself and the Deputy Commander for Programs team at NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. I started my Army career as an armor officer then moved into the program management field where I have served for 21 years. Most recently, I served as the Program Executive Officer, Soldier, where I managed the development, testing and fielding of equipment and uniforms for the entire U.S. Army.

In my new position as Deputy Commander for Programs, I am charged with managing seven directorates which handle procurement, contracting, budgeting, infrastructure building, and training, for the entire Afghan National Security Force. We are helping the ANSF build an army of 195,000 soldiers and police force of 157,000 policemen by November of 2012. As you can imagine, this is a fairly daunting task.

To accomplish this task, we are given an extensive budget which this year includes $3B for infrastructure, $3B for equipment, $1B for training, and $3B for sustainment. It is a constant challenge to ensure that every penny of these funds goes toward the betterment of the ANSF. We also face a number of challenges as we mentor the ANSF to improve their ability to provide good stewardship and accountability for the equipment we provide after it is issued.

Our primary goal at Programs is to help the Afghans generate the combat power necessary to secure their nation in the most effective and efficient manner possible. An almost equal priority is ensuring that the US Dollars spent to build that combat power are fully accounted for and effectively used.

HOOAH!

PETER N. FULLER
MG, U.S. Army
Deputy Commander for Programs
NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan
Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan

Many Firsts Signal Increased Capability for Afghan National Security Force

Filed under DoD News by on July 26, 2011 at 8:00 am {no comments}

Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan

By Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV
Commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan

In the past two weeks NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan has been the recipient of some very good news across the command as the Afghan National Security Force continues to build momentum through operational “firsts.”

The Afghan National Army, Police and Air Force have proven that, from an operational standpoint, they can execute independently in many cases. We recently witnessed the first MEDEVAC mission executed solely by the Afghan army in Herat (Camp Zafar) for two soldiers wounded in combat. The mission was flown by the Afghan air force and the security on the ground was solely coordinated by the ANA. Upon arrival at the landing zone, the injured soldiers were attended to by ANA medics, and then transported by ambulance to the hospital.  Coalition members observed the process, and were impressed by ANA professionalism, coordination and this emerging independent casualty evacuation capability.

In another first, the ANA’s Judge Advocate General made his first visit to the academy’s legal school. The school trains ANA legal advisors, military judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, investigators, legal noncommissioned officers as well as ANA commanders. He discussed course curriculum and observed a student exercise in the Criminal Investigation Division.

Also this week, an Afghan attorney within the Afghan Ministry of Defense also briefed a seminar of over 40 MoD senior programmatic officials on “Transparency and Accountability.” The brief covered the types of corruption defined in Afghan law, its incompatibility with Islam, and the punishments for corruption under current law.

These are all positive signs of the ANSF moving closer to a more capable, self-sustaining force as we continue turning over responsibility for security throughout the nation. And I anticipate many more firsts in the weeks and months to come regarding operational successes—highlighting some very good work by the advisors throughout NTM-A.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: Afghan National Security Force Gender Initiatives

Filed under Bloggers Roundtable, DoD News by on February 7, 2011 at 3:38 pm {no comments}

Jack Kem, Ph.D., deputy to the commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan

Jack Kem, Ph.D., deputy to the commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, participated in a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable on Wednesday, February 9.

Kem discussed gender initiatives within the Afghan National Security Force and how NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan is working with the Afghan Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense on initiatives to develop education opportunities and increase the number of women in professional roles.

Listen here.

Read the Defense.gov story, “Trainers Aim to Increase Women’s Role in Afghan Society”

Read the transcript.

Joining us on the call were Dale Kissinger, of Military Avenue; Chuck Simmins, of America’s North Shore Journal; Gail Harris, of Foreign Policy blog; Andrew Lubin, of Leatherneck Magazine; John Doyle, of 4GWar; and Anand Choudhuri, of Registan.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: ANSF Equipment Requirements

Filed under Bloggers Roundtable by on December 13, 2010 at 7:01 am {no comments}

We Recently held a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Army Col. John Ferrari, deputy commander for programs, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, Combined Security Transitions Command-Afghanistan for Thursday, Dec. 16.

Col. Ferrari discussed Coalition procured equipment given to the Afghan National Security Force to help them in their fight against insurgents in Afghanistan. He also discussed the development of Afghan industries that can supply ANSF’s equipment requirements.

Listen to the interview.

Read the transcript.

Read the Defense.gov story: NATO Training Mission Meets Procurement, Training Goals

Joining us on the call were Dale Kissinger, of Military Avenue; Spencer Ackerman, of The Washington Independant; and Sharon Weinberger, of Wired.com.

DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: NTM-A Year in Review

Filed under Bloggers Roundtable by on November 8, 2010 at 10:02 am {no comments}

Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commander NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan, is met by Afghan Gen. Nasrullah Zarifi, commander of the Kandahar Afghan National Police Regional Training Center June 2, 2010. The training center focuses on the eight-week basic training course for ANP but also offers supplemental training such as the eight-week Trauma Assistance Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Brown/RELEASED)

We held a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable with Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command, for Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Lt. Gen. Caldwell discussed the training and development of the Afghan National Security Force over the past year.

Listen to interview.

Read the transcript.

Read the Defense.gov story: NATO Trainers Work to Professionalize Afghan Forces

Read the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Year in Review. The review covers NTM-A’s progress in Afghanistan from Nov. 2009 – 2010.

Joining us on the call were Spencer Ackerman, Wired.com; Christian Lowe, Military.com; Carl Forsberg, Understandingwar.org; Gail Harris, Foreign Policy blogs; Susan Katz Keating, Paul McLeary, Aviation Week; Edwin Mora, CNSNews.com; Leo Shane, Stars and Stripes; J.D. Leipold, Army.mil; and Anand Choudhuri, of Registan.

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