Afghan Security Forces Making Positive Strides

“All in all we are making positive strides in fielding professional security forces that are confident, diverse, and capable of providing security to Afghanistan,” U.S. Army Col. John Agoglia, director of the Counterinsurgency Training Center – Afghanistan, of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, said during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable. The Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan is responsible for training, developing, fielding, and mentoring the Afghan Security Forces. As for the COIN Center - Afghanistan, “Our focus is to enhance Coalition Forces, Afghan Security Forces, and other Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan agencies capability to reduce the insurgent influence,” Agoglia said.

On the call with us were Greg Grant of NextGov and Jason Sigger of the Armchair Generalist.

"Hopefully I've painted an optimistic picture, because it is; but it's certainly not easy." Col. Michael McMahon

Col. Michael J. McMahon, Director of Force Integration and Training (CJ7) for the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan joined us for the second DoD Bloggers Roundtable of the day. Col. McMahon spoke to us about building the Afghan National Army and Police, Force District Development, the Afghan National Civil Order Police, and the successes and challenges of helping Afghanistan stand on its own.

On the call with us today was Andrew Lubin of the Military Observer, Bruce McQuain of QandO and Jarred Fishman of the Air Force Pundit.