Army Chief Of staff visits Afghan troops

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U.S. Army Col. John Nicholson (center right), Task Force Spartan commander, escorts Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, U.S. Army chief of staff, through the base landing zone at Forward Operating Base Asadabad, Afghanistan, April 21, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael PintagroArmy Chief of Staff Visits U.S., Afghan TroopsU.S. Army Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker met with Task Force Spartan and Afghan
National Army leaders and soldiers operating in Kunar Province. By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pintagro
Task Force Spartan
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ASADABAD, Afghanistan, May 11, 2006 — The U.S. Army chief of staff met with U.S. soldiers assigned to Task Force Spartan and Afghan National Army leaders and soldiers operating in Kunar Province during a visit of Regional Command East April 21. Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force-76 commander, and U.S. Army Col. Burke Garrett, chief of staff executive officer, met with Spartans and Afghan National Army partners at four eastern Afghan positions.
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Zmarai, commander of 3rd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps, and U.S. Army Col. John Nicholson, Task Force Spartan commander, escorted the general through their respective areas of responsibility.

“In the future we look for continued cooperation, but also for the [Afghan National Army] to enhance its capability to accomplish more and more on its own. We’re doing a great job, but we need to continue to work hard. There are still a lot of areas where we can improve.”

U.S. Army Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley (right), Combined Joint Task Force-76 commander, identifies a position on a map as U.S. Army Col. John Nicholson (left), Task Force Spartan commander, and Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, U.S. Army chief of staff, observe at Forward Operating Base Asadabad, Afghanistan, April 21, 2006. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class William Yenser, task force fire support noncommissioned officer in charge, awaits further instructions at the task force tactical operations center. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pintagro
The visit began at Forward Operating Base Asadabad with a brief tour of base facilities including the airfield, provincial reconstruction team headquarters, a forward surgical hospital and the task force tactical operations center.
Nicholson and Zmarai briefed the chief of staff on Operation Mountain Lion operations, the coalition’s ongoing offensive operation to disrupt enemy activities. Afterward, Zmarai offered an optimistic appraisal of allied efforts and regional prospects.
“We have cooperated very closely with the American units,” the Afghan National Army general said. “The operation is going very well. Our brigade and our soldiers have conducted many operations, but we will never forget this one.”
Zmarai expressed the people’s desire for long-term allied partnership, recounting meetings he and Nicholson recently attended in the Korengal Valley.
Village elders, the Afghan National Army commander noted, warmly embraced allied security and reconstruction efforts but feared the enemy would perpetrate reprisals against coalition-friendly villagers once Afghan National Army and American forces departed.
“We promised them that until we defeat the enemy, we’re not going anywhere,” the Afghan National Army leader said. “This is very important; we want to separate the enemy from the people. With the people on our side, we cannot fail.”
Schoomaker quickly seconded the point.
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Zmarai, commander of 3rd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps, briefs Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, U.S. Army chief of staff, as U.S. Army Col. Burke Garrett, chief of staff executive officer, and Zmarai’s interpreter look on at the task force tactical operations center at Forward Operating Base Asadabad, Afghanistan, April 21, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pintagro“That’s the most important point of the whole exercise; that’s the goal: to get the people on our side,” Schoomaker said. “In the end, (the operation) is not only about the impact on the enemy, but also its impact on the people – how they feel about the [Afghan National Army], the Afghan National Police and the coalition.”
Schoomaker offered Zmarai his congratulations on “your great achievement” and looked forward to further Afghan National Army progress in the future.
“In the future we look for continued cooperation, but also for the [Afghan National Army] to enhance its capability to accomplish more and more on its own,” Schoomaker said. “We’re doing a great job, but we need to continue to work hard. There are still a lot of areas where we can improve.”
The general emphasized the importance of developing the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan National Security Forces as well as expanding the authority and influence of the Afghan government. Citing recent conversations with Gen. Bismullah Kahn, Afghan National Army chief of staff, Schoomaker characterized the allies as dedicated to Afghan security, prosperity and progress.
“I don’t think there’s any question in Gen. Bismullah Kahn’s mind about our commitment and our determination to move ahead,” he said.
Following his tour of Forward Operating Base Asadabad, the chief of staff traveled to Naray in the extreme northeast near the Pakistani border. He flew over the Pech River Valley and visited troops on the top of the Abbas Gar Mountain, meeting with Afghan National Army soldiers from 2nd Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps along the way.
Schoomaker greeted U.S. soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment at their “jump TAC” on the Kunar and infantrymen from 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment on their mountaintop position.
Leaders described the visit as productive.
“The visit was very successful -- I think it accomplished a great deal,” said Nicholson. “The chief had an opportunity to survey the Mountain Lion battlefield firsthand and meet with the Afghan as well as the American soldiers who are taking the fight to the enemy."
During his visit to allied forward bases, check points and TACs, Schoomaker distributed his unique coins, emblazoned with the general’s emblem on one side and the “Warrior Ethos” on the other.
“The soldiers really enjoyed his visit,” he added. “They’re working very hard accomplishing important things for our nation in one of the most austere environments in the world. They appreciate our Army chief of staff recognizing their hard work and sacrifice.”