With the latest "fly to advise"At Shindand at the headquarters of the Afghan security forces deployed against the terrorist cells of Zeer-kho Valley, the Italian advisor of the Train, Advise and Assist Command West (TAAC W) conclude the third phase of the expeditionary advisory package .
About 100 advisor Italians of the Alpine Brigade Taurinense, have completed the third phase of advice and advanced assistance to the command of the Afghan security forces (ANDSF) simultaneously engaged in the province of Farah and in Shindand in the context of the "Khalid" - the campaign developed by the government of Kabul to extend and guaranteeing security in areas threatened by terrorist formations that opposed the local population.
The Expeditionary Advisory Package (EAP) of the TAAC W, has operated using 6 periodic deployment in the advanced base "La Marmora" and in the interstate base of Afghan special forces in direct contact with the command posts of the local security forces by providing advice and assistance during the organizational phase of conduct of the operation "Zafar 57"In the district of Shindand, considered by the Kabul government to be the western stronghold of onset.
The "Zafar 57 " it represented the continuation of the maneuvers carried out by the ANDSF in August and September in the area of Farah with the aim to lighten the concentration of onset and restore the presence of the legitimate government in the districts occupied illegally by terrorists.
During the expeditions to Shindand, several Army Aviation Helicopters were engaged - both NH 90 for team transport and A129 "Mangusta" for in-flight safety - along with the use of C-130 transport aircraft and helicopters Apache e Black Hawk US, which allowed the Alpine 2 ° regiment of the brigade Taurinense, along with other specialized units, to quickly prepare the security measures required to defend the advanced base "La Marmora" in which TAAC-W assistants assisted the commanders and staff of the ANDSF dedicated to the operation.
Among the achievements, the commander of the 1ª Afghan brigade, the protagonist of the operation along with police units, stressed that action has allowed the elimination of numerous terrorist cells by inflicting their strong losses and disrupting command and coordination lines of the same; beyond 30 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), along with the material needed to pack additional bombs, were found and disinherited by the team of specialists trained a few months ago by Italian trainers, absolutely crucial results for the success of the operation as well as the teams for the control of helicopter and aircraft arrangements. The operation just concluded - in line with those conducted in August and September - also allowed the restoration of legitimate authority in the districts occupied by terrorists and alleviated the pressure on the onset in the Farah area considered crucial to cut the streets of terrorist cell communication between the north and south of Afghanistan.
The success of the operation has highlighted the effectiveness of the joint training of the operation Resolute Support, implemented in recent months according to NATO guidelines and how the Afghan security forces have increased their ability to operate autonomously in recent years. Particularly important was the joint planning and conduct of the TAAC-W facilitated by working closely with both the body 207˚ command, the 1ª brigade, the kandaks employees, special units of the Commandos the army and the Afghan police, both with the legitimate district authorities.
"With this in mind - recalled the commander of TAAC W General Massimo Biagini - the external activity of Train, Advise and Assist in particular in favor of the 1ª and 2ª brigade of the 207˚ Afghan Army Corps and units of the 606 ° zone command of the Police represented for the Italian contingent - strong of the great experience acquired over the years and the specific professional skills acquired during the preparation phase of the mission - the result of years of work and training carried out in synergy with the local counterparts, for which the experience of Italian advisors proved to be decisive".
