TF Bayonet Hosts Commanders’ Combined Action Forum

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Col. James Johnson, commander of Task Force Bayonet and U.S. forces in Logar and Wardak provinces, hosted a conference for members of the Afghan National Army and Coalition forces leaders, Feb. 23.

The conference was an opportunity for military leaders to discuss ways that both forces can work together to improve cooperation and security across the two provinces.

“Combined action for us, with our Afghan and all of our coalition partners, is a movement forward to achieve the same end state,”said Johnson.”We must do that in all phases of the operation.”

“As we work together, we’re able to help each other understand and plan for the future better,” said Brig. Gen. Abdul Razik, commander of the 1st Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army.

Reaching for the same goal while focusing on the future will keep the forces ready, said Razik.

In addition to preparation for the future, the forum attendees focused on specific developments toward security for both provinces.

“As we all know the spring will soon come, and the enemy will also come.  Before the enemy starts acting, we will be there to stop them. We are ready for them,” said Razik.

“We must train together to prepare for the missions, and then we must rehearse together to,” said Johnson. “But more importantly, we’ll come back after the mission and figure out what we can do better, so that the next time we are even more successful. Combined action is the all encompassing partnership between us and our coalition partners.”

Because there are no set ways to deal with threats, flexibility is important, said Johnson.

“Logar and Wardak are the two provinces of which General Razik and I am responsible for. They are very diverse. Within these two provinces, you have different threats, under different conditions, in different districts, so there’s no one uniform action against a specific threat,” said Johnson.

At the end of the combined action forum, a blueprint was made to respond to various threats.

“One thing that is consistent is, we are focusing on the population, separating the Afghans from that threat, so that we can achieve the end state of improving their local communities and giving them more capacity to live a better life,” said Johnson. “I think we have momentum moving forward, and I think the partnership is going to be the most vital piece to that.”