A turning of the earth ceremony has taken place at the site of what will become the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) - underlining the UK’s long-term commitment to a secure Afghanistan after combat operations cease by the end of 2014, Vigilance can report.
A source at the MoD said once fully operational, the ANAOA would train up to 1,350 male students and 150 female students each year. Based on a model resembling the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the source said would help to sustain the ongoing progress being made in building a capable and professional Afghan National Army, adding the work would take place during and after the transition of security responsibilities to the Afghan Government post-2014.
It was gathered the event coincided with the transfer of authority between British brigades in Helmand with 4th Mechanized Brigade taking command of Task Force Helmand from 12th Mechanized Brigade which is now on its way home.
The MoD source told Vigilance the transfer of authority marks the start of Operation HERRICK 17 which will oversee the drawdown of 500 UK service personnel already announced to take place by the end of this year, saying the next six months will see 4th Mechanized Brigade working in support of the Afghan National Security Forces to ensure they are capable of assuming full security responsibilities during the course of 2014.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond MP said: “In July, the Prime Minister and President Karzai signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reaffirm UK and Afghan dedication to the officer academy project in Kabul which is one of the UK’s commitments to an enduring partnership with Afghanistan after our combat operations cease.
MP Hammond added: “The academy will present a real opportunity for us to help generate a well-trained cadre of junior officers to bolster the leadership within the Afghan Army for the future. Both the commencement of the ANAOA project and the planned drawdown of 500 personnel from 4th Mechanized Brigade by the end of the year, demonstrate significant steps forward in a transition process that is well on track and will see us hand over full security responsibility for Afghanistan to its own security forces in 2014.”
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Deputy Commander ISAF, Lieutenant General Adrian Bradshaw, said: “The training that will take place here will develop the next generation of military leaders in a brand new Afghan National Army Officers’ Academy. This is yet another example of how ISAF and the Afghan National Security Forces are sustaining the progress we have made in building a capable and professional force. I am very proud of our achievements and the turning of the earth marks not only the start of the main construction effort, but also the beginning of the academy itself. It is a truly historic occasion.”
Personnel from 4th Mechanized Brigade will work alongside the Afghan Army and the Afghan National Police in a coordinated effort over the forthcoming winter.
Brigadier Bob Bruce, Commander of Task Force Helmand for Herrick 17, said: “Our focus throughout this deployment will be on assisting our Afghan allies to deliver security to their people. We are superbly well trained and equipped to do this.”
With air of satisfaction, Brigadier Bruce enthused: “Real success has been achieved. As the Afghan security forces continue to grow in capability and confidence we will reduce our profile. I am planning to send 500 troops home by the end of this year.”