QRH Blog

January 2012

2 Kandak Advisory Training Team, led by B squadron The Queen’s Royal Hussars, has had a busy month mentoring the Highway Kandak.

The new 2nd kandak commander continues to implement change and stamp his energetic personality upon the unit. A heavily pro-ISAF officer who received the benefit of BAG advisor mentoring while he was a Tolay, or company commander, Lt Colonel Nizamudin has had a significant impact upon the kandak during his short time in post. Under his watch, the posture and professionalism of the troops on...

...patrols and at check points has improved sharply, with an increased presence on the highway and an intensive programme of advisor-led training for his warriors. 2 KATT personnel give regular lessons on first aid, IED – detection, vehicle searching and other crucial skills. Although sadly the kandak has suffered losses from insurgent attacks in the last month, lessons have been learned and ANA tactics have been swiftly adjusted to counter the current threat. ISAF now accompany roving quick reaction forces which patrol the highway implementing mobile vehicle check points, while remaining ready to respond to any situation.

Meanwhile independent ANA standing patrols ensure the continuing safety of key locations along the highway and ensure that vulnerable points remain clear of Taliban Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs.

The 2 kandak Explosive Hazard Reduction Team, or EHRT, continues to be a success story. The Royal Engineer advisors from 2 KATT train the team daily and accompany them as they locate and dispose of insurgent IEDs.

The kandak will shortly be moving location to Babaji, with 6 kandak taking over the highway role. 2 KATT’s first challenge will be to aid in the complex process of two complete battalions switching places, and then to begin the task of building professional relationships with the incoming personnel.

As Captain Richard Emmerson, the 2 KATT military linguist commented, “B squadron has formed firm friendships with some of the characters in 2 kandak and will be sorry to see them leave.” But they must now look forward to the next stage in their tour, and to changing their name to 6 KATT.

Keep checking back for more 2 Rifles updates.