KABUL, Afghanistan –
Editor's note: Master Sgt. Mike Marascia is deployed form the Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire and Emergencey Services
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will nearly double the size of the Afghan National Army over the next six years from a current strength of 66,000 to 134,000. This expansion means a similar increase in the Army's Air Corps and its ability to bring Afghan soldiers, equipment and air power to the fight.
The Air Corps has shown significant growth in the last year. Eight months ago, 90 percent of the troop and cargo lift for the Afghan National Security Forces was done by NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Today, that percentage is done by Afghan pilots in Air Corps aircraft.
A recent Air Corps emergency response exercise at the Kabul Air Corps Training Center here gave the Air Corps' emergency response element a chance to showcase their ability to support the rapidly expanding Army.
The Air Corps' fire department and security force's Quick Reaction Force exercised their skills and knowledge in aircraft structure, fire response, medical training and crisis action to put out a real aircraft fire and secure the scene for medical response.
The emergency response exercise not only put training to the test, but also gave the responders a chance to showcase their capability to work as a team and cohesive emergency response element.
Ensuring the Air Corps' fire department, security and medical forces were working together is a priority for the U.S. mentors here, according to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Mike Marascia, a mentor for the fire department deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va. Marascia is assigned to the Combined Air Power Transition Force, a part of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, a lack of communication between Afghan emergency response elements during a dormitory fire resulted in a necessary shift in the focus of training, Marascia said. The emergency response exercise strengthened coordination between the security forces and the fire department.
During the emergency response exercise, the Air Corps' QRF arrived on scene, deployed from their vehicles and set up a cordon, or barrier, around the simulated downed aircraft to keep people from getting to close.
"In an actual emergency like an aircraft fire, the firefighters will have a dangerous job and any additional unnecessary hazards, like on-lookers near the incident, will create the potential for a disaster,"
Marascia said. "It can result in the already low-manned fire department diverting attention from fire extinguishment to rescue."
Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Fox, a mentor for the QRF assigned to CAPTF, said the exercise was a great chance for the Afghan Air Corps' security forces to see why their training was so important.
"Exercises allow us not only to see what areas need improvement, but allow them to see the reasoning behind the some of the tactics we teach them," Fox said. "For a good portion, it is easier for them to learn during practice than trying to explain it in a classroom."
Both mentors said the training also helps the Afghans learn to react to scenarios that aren't exactly planned.
"One of the water hoses on the truck had a hole in it, and my guys reacted and got another hose going," Marascia said. "It shows they are trained and can react to situations that they aren't necessarily expecting."
Fox said the QRF also had to think on their feet.
"The original cordon they set up was not big enough, so they adjusted as needed," Fox said. "This shows us that they understand and can apply the training we have done with them."
Training exercises like this will continue to strengthen the Afghan Air Corps' response elements, according to the mentors. With the help of the mentors, the fire department and QRF plan to carry out monthly exercises in the future, adding a sense of realism to the ongoing classroom training.
The Afghan Army expansion means more soldiers for the fight and the success of the force rests greatly on the strengths of the Air Corps.
The accomplishments of the Air Corps in the past year have showcased the fledgling corps' capabilities and potential for support in the future.