After I'd been in Afghanistan for a short time, many friends began asking me about the advisory mission. As South Carolina soldiers are primarily involved with advising Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), people seem to be curious about the unique nature of this mission.

What does an American advisor do during his average day when tasked to train and mentor ANSF (Army and Police)? A few nights ago I was part of a unique mission with one of the teams under my command in Southern Afghanistan. The description of this mission will give a good anecdotal example of how U.S. forces train the Afghans in the Southern Region. One thing you will notice is the complex international nature of the environment: We are in British battle space in my province and therefore work hand-in-hand with the United Kingdom. It is also a dangerous but rewarding environment, as the description makes clear.

This mission began at about 6:30 p.m. in my team's forward operating base. The team commander gave his operations order. This order was for movement to the site of a linkup with Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and British advisers. We were to link up in the middle of an Afghan town, develop the plan for a joint foot patrol and prepare for that mission. After the order, in which we learned about the various possible enemy suicide bombers and improved explosive devices in our town, the soldiers completed their preparations for combat. They ensured their night vision sights were operational. The men checked communications by calling various other points of contact. Importantly, they inspected their weapon systems and ammunition for the eventuality of a fire fight. After all checks were complete, we picked up our Afghan interpreter, locked and loaded all weapons systems, and left the base.

The night movement to the site of the linkup was somewhat uneventful. Ramadan is being celebrated throughout the Islamic world right now and therefore many Afghans come out at night to celebrate the breaking of the fast (during the month-long Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat or drink from sun-up to sundown, but celebrate with lavish meals at night). Regardless of how many times we move, all American advisers know that each convoy is life-and-death and could involve a fire fight. We made it to the linkup site before the other parties, but quickly saw the Afghan National Police coming to our location. We briefed them through our interpreter and had them prepare for combat. Within an hour, the Afghan National Army and British advisers linked up. In this specific mission, the British advisers took the lead in planning the routes and contingencies. We offered advice and ensured our sub-unit plans were complete and rehearsed. Before the actual movement, all U.S. and U.K. soldiers checked communications and weapons and ensured the Afghans followed suit.

Our joint patrol of Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and U.S./U.K. advisers finally left the linkup site at around 9:30 p.m. During this mission, we chose to leave the combat vehicles behind in a secure area as a quick-reaction force. Though I was the ranking officer on this patrol, I remained with the American team (with associated Afghan National Security Forces) to observe and evaluate their progress as advisers. U.S. advisers walked up and down the formation of men to ensure the ANSF soldiers were conducting the patrol to standard. This included putting space between soldiers so that the enemy cannot cause mass casualties with a single explosive. Adviser checks also involved ensuring all soldiers remained disciplined and vigilant throughout the patrol.

The patrol went from 9:30 p.m. to around 1 a.m. The route involved movement throughout many parts of this town. Of note, Afghans in the town could see "their" ANSF securing the people against the depredations of the Taliban. They could see the army and police forces in Afghanistan work as a joint team. Additionally, the people could observe American and British soldiers in a supporting role to their forces, yet willing to take same risks and endure the same hardships as the ANSF. Any Taliban got the message that the ANSF and coalition forces were willing to "take the fight to the enemy" and not stay behind in "safe" bases.

Throughout the hours on patrol, the U.S. soldiers could see the improvement in the capabilities of the ANSF. Whenever we stopped, coalition soldiers would go around and show the ANSF how to properly pull security. We also showed how to check suspicious objects or openings. The ANSF could watch American and British soldiers take the appropriate actions on patrol: Keep weapons in a position ready to fire, take a knee upon any halt, orient observation and weapons in assigned sectors, etc. Through "leadership by example" by U.S. and U.K. soldiers, the ANSF learned how to keep disciplined and ready throughout a long and arduous foot patrol. When searches of suspicious vehicles or compounds had to be conducted, ANSF took the lead in those sensitive searches. This was part of the advisory mandate of putting an "Afghan face" on an "Afghan mission."

After walking through many dark, dangerous alleys (wondering if we would face fire or IEDs at each next turn) most felt elated as the linkup site came into view. I could see in the faces of the ANSF the joy in accomplishment as they neared the finish of their first successful joint combat patrol. Among the Afghan soldiers, the weariness of walking many miles in the middle of the night was replaced by a feeling of professional pride. They asked when they could go out again with their coalition advisors. Among the US and UK soldiers, we could sense that progress had been made that night. It was small mission in only one town. However, we understood that our in our work that night we were sewing the seeds for the future: a professional ANSF trusted and supported by the Afghan people.

Last note: God clearly granted his protection on this mission and deserves all thanks and praise. In this, as in many other such missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the prayers of millions of Americans at home ARE being answered. Continue those prayers and let's all keep faith for a blessed future.

God Bless America.

Attorney Bill Connor of Orangeburg is in Afghanistan for a year-long deployment as leader of an elite infantry advisory team. Connor, whose team includes state Rep. James E. Smith Jr., is part of the 218th Infantry Brigade.

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