Blogger's Roundtable with COL McGrath

Last Friday I participated in a very filled round-table with COL McGrath. COL McGrath is the ARSIC-S Commander who is coming to an end on his 15 month tour. It was a really good interview session as he had a lot to reflect on and a variety of topics to talk about. ARSIC-South is the hottest area of operation in Afghanistan and is where the biggest fight is taking place. Of course other areas to the east along the Pakistan border are catching up in the level of activity.

Some of the facts and highlights from the round-table were:

250 Up-armored Humvees are being fielded to each of the 3 Afghan Army Brigades in the 205th Corps AO.
The ANA is in the process of receiving heavier crew serve weapons
New NCO leadership courses are being run and graduating ANA at a record pace
200 ANA soldiers are now eligible for promotion
Team leader (Jr. NCO) courses being taught by ANA Sr. NCOs
ANA is now central in the training on the M16 conversion from AK-47s
ANA medevacs and supply runs are being executed on ANA helicopters

You can listen to the 30 min session at http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/BloggerAssets/2008-08/08010814233620080801_ColMcGrath_audio.mp3