LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Tech. Sgt. Ty Cook
Deployed Unit: NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan
Duty Title: Supply Combat Advisor to Afghan National Army
Home Unit: 439th Supply Chain Operations Squadron
Hometown: Clinton, Ark.
Time in Service: Active duty Air Force 18 years
Describe your deployed duty and the tools you use to accomplish it: I advise and mentor 118 Afghan National Army soldiers and officers up to rank of colonel on logistics and supply procedures for the ANA 1st Forward Supply Depot, supporting more than 20,000 Afghan Soldiers, a basic training center, commandos, and several hospitals. I attended a 10-week Combat Advisor training course at Fort Polk, La., where I learned Dari, Afghan Culture, convoy operations, counter-insurgency doctrine, crew-served weapons training, and reflexive fire training. The training greatly helps my day to day operations advising the Afghans.
What do you bring to the fight? I positively impact the Afghan National Army's supply-chain and improve the tracking and accountability of $3.4 billion in supplies and equipment to sustain a viable fighting force to defeat the insurgency. I bring an understanding of supply chain management, from customer service to depot operations, which help my Afghan counterparts greatly.
What are your overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? It is a unique and rewarding mission. I advise and discuss logistics issues with Afghans every day, drink chai with them, and see progress on a daily basis. You must be patient and understanding to get the most out of this deployment.
Supervisor Comments: "Tech. Sgt. Cook is an energetic member of our team and offers a broad skillset of supply expertise to train the Afghan National Army. His interpersonal skills are a valuable asset in dealing with this unique tribal culture."