Defence Minister Anu Anguelov Visited Afghanistan
Minister Anu Anguelov met with General David Petraeus, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The meeting between Minister Anguelov and General Petraeus focused on the future deployment of three Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs), one of which will be a joint Bulgarian-American team, as well on the upcoming secondment of 10 Bulgarian instructors to the Kabul Military Training Centre, medical teams and two staff officers to NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A).
General Petraeus praised highly the efforts of the Bulgarian soldiers in Afghanistan.
“You should be proud of your troops. They are doing a great job,” said Petraeus.
He gave a detailed briefing on the current situation and the strategy for future actions in Afghanistan. A gradual handing over of Afghan provinces to Afghan security forces will be taking place, depending on the situation in each province. Therefore, the Afghan security forces’ education and training becomes increasingly the centre of attention. Minister Anguelov and General Petraeus agreed that progress has already been made and that further efforts will be put in this direction.
The service of the Bulgarian troops in Afghanistan has also been praised by the commander of united ISAF military bases in Kabul, Brigadier General Johnson. He and Minister Anguelov discussed the situation in Kabul and the tasks performed by our soldiers.
While in Kandahar, Minister Anguelov also met with the Commander of the Kandahar Air Base, Brigadier General Gordon Moods.
“Thanks to the Bulgarian troops, thousands of people here in the Kandahar Air Base are better protected. You have a perfect team that works fine, and I share this opinion of mine when I talk to the media," Gen. Moods said, in praise of Bulgarian soldiers. He pointed out the appropriate training and the adequate actions on the part of the Bulgarian 8th Safeguard Company, especially the actions they took to ensure the timely missile attack warning. He paid special attention to the company’s remarkable reaction to the complex attack on August 3, 2010, as well as to the numerous timely decisions and reactions on the part of the company’s personnel with regard to the overall safeguarding the perimeter of the Kandahar Airfield.
Minister Anguelov also talked to Brig. Gen. Jeffrey B. Kendall, who is to take over the command of Kandahar Airfield.
Minister Anguelov ensured General Kendall that he can rely on his cooperation with respect to all issues concerning the Bulgarian contingent.
In Kabul, Minister Anu Anguelov also talked with US Ambassador to Afghanistan H.E. Karl W. Eikenberry. Minister Anguelov and Ambassador Eikenberry discussed the situation in Afghanistan and shared the belief that the employment of a comprehensive approach combining political, civil and military effort is a pivotal factor to the future of the country. Hence, Minister Anguelov emphasised the role of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan, as well as that of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs).
Meetings with Bulgarian servicemen
Kabul
“This was an unforgettable time for me, as it is my first time in Afghanistan with you. To us, our mission is a priority and any issues you may wish to put forward will be solved promptly,” Minister Anguelov pointed out in his address to the personnel of 19th Contingent in Kabul. He answered questions related to the level of risk, selection procedure regarding mission participation, length of service as regards social insurance, training for participation in missions and operations, equipment and facilities maintenance and the future of various units of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.
Minister Anguelov gave the soldiers an icon with the image of the Bulgarian saint St. George and wished them safe return home.
The National Officer of the Contingent Colonel Tsekovski acquainted Minister Anguelov and Lieutenant General Atanas Samandov, who was accompanying him, with the conditions in which our troops are performing their duties and tasks within the respective areas of responsibility.
Kandahar
“The people you interact with directly expressed their high opinion and gave good reports of your work. I personally, and all those committed to assuring and fully providing your mission with everything you need, are proud of you,” Minister Anguelov said to Bulgarian troops in Kandahar.
Minister Anguelov awarded the Commendation Medal of Military Valour 3rd Class to the servicemen from 8th Safeguard Company for their professional, responsible, robust and adequate actions in response of the complex attack on August 3, 2010.
The servicemen awarded were:
SNCO Georgi Dimitrov
Cpl. Hristo Bozhilov
Cpl. Miladin Vasev
Cpl. Marin Kozarev
Pte. Velko Topchiev
Pte. Dimitar Shopov
Pte. Ivaylo Ignatov
Pte. Nedelcho Myahovski
Minister Anguelov decorated Brig. Gen. Halil Rahman, Commanding Officer of 1/205 maintenance unit, with Commendation Medal For Contribution to the Ministry of Defence for his support and assistance provided to the Bulgarian military contingent with regard to the tasks they perform on guarding the forces in the Kandahar Airfield area, and Acting Group Captain Ash Bennett of the Force Protection Wing, Deputy Commander of the Airbase – with Commendation Medal For Mission Participation.
Addressing the Bulgarian troops, Minister Anguelov emphasized the importance of their mission and the invaluable experience they are gathering, which will contribute to the development of the operational capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. He gave details on the plans for the future of 61st Brigade in Karlovo and for its further enlargement.
Minister Anguelov presented the soldiers with a St. George icon and told them that it was everyone’s hope that they accomplish their mission successfully and return home to Bulgaria safe and sound.
