John C. Hale
Operationalizing the Decisive Point: Operation OQAB “Eagle” – Combined together with Unified Action “The create out against the guerrilla must go organized methodically together with conducted with unremitting patience together with resolution. Except for the rare exception, it volition never achieve spectacular results, so love to laurel seeking military machine leaders.” -- Roger Trinquier. Modern Warfare—a French View of Counterinsurgency. 1964.[i] Trinquier accurately assessed that a deliberate together with methodical procedure must go conducted, to defeat an insurgency that does non introduce a unmarried decisive battle that turns the tide of war. The evolution of a methodical have computer program for Counter-insurgency (COIN) requires planners to utilisation a novel method of thinking inwards the way they approach their mission. Campaign Design for COIN incorporates many non-traditional aspects to planning that many have got practiced inwards the plain yet have got non go codified into doctrine until recently.
[ii] Design equally a concept has been approximately military machine circles for decades, nonetheless of late the Army has incorporated it into our doctrine for both COIN together with the operations process.[iii] In the evolution of 101st Airborne Division’s have concept for Regional Command East (RC-E), the planning squad merged traditional MDMP together with Design to develop a comprehensive non-linear have concept to address the challenges nosotros are currently facing inwards Afghanistan. This have concept sought to render Brigade together with Battalion Commander’s a framework for the comport of COIN inwards RC-E through describing how together with where they should maximize effects on the battlefield, at the decisive point, to attain the decisive operation.[iv] The decisive betoken inwards COIN is the cognitive shift of the population away from the insurgency together with toward the government, encompassing a combination of factors together with atmospheric condition composing the focal betoken at which resources are synchronized together with focused to bulk the desired effects on the population. The destination of the decisive betoken inwards COIN should go to gain irreversible momentum for the authorities against the insurgency, patch denying the insurgents mightiness to keep together with sustain his base of operations of support. The generation of this momentum begins tardily but tin go conducted simultaneously throughout an expanse of performance to generate bulk number over fourth dimension together with indirectly affecting following areas. The start betoken for the evolution of the 101st ABN Division’s have computer program was the exam of the surround of RC-E together with the ISAF / IJC orders.
Regional Command East
Regional Command - East is roughly the size of Virginia (twice the size of Bosnia-Herzegovina), has 450 miles of border amongst Pakistan, a population of over 7 1000000 (3 times the size of Bosnia Herzegovina) together with surrounds the national upper-case missive of the alphabet of Kabul (population 3 million). There are 14 provinces together with 160 districts of which 45 are designated past times IJC equally Key Terrain.[v]The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) inwards RC-E is composed of 2 Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, 2 Afghan National Police (ANP) Regions together with 2 Afghan Border Police (ABP) Zones. RC-E has vii coalition brigades, xiv Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) together with enablers totaling 28,000 troops.
With the population equally the centerpiece of our COIN strategy, nosotros recognize the Afghan population equally a complex adaptive system.[vi] 45 of IJC’s 88 KTD’s reside inwards RC-E, together with amongst that 77% of the Pashtu population inwards RC-E reside the KTDs. RC-E is a mixed urban together with rural expanse amongst competing together with costless interests centered on the age-old contest betwixt traditional ways of life together with the transition to a modern secular society. Although agriculture inwards RC-E comprises the income of 80% of the population, the urban centers of Jalalabad, Ghazni, together with Khost correspond cultural hubs together with centers of commerce for the rural communities. The tribal together with Pashtu influence inwards RC-E is significant, nonetheless it is non an all encompassing or unifying element within the environment.[vii] The root causes of instability vary inwards RC-E, nonetheless the lack of security, judge together with chance dominate the reasons for the population to back upwards insurgent versus Government of the Islamic Republic of Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (GIRoA). The lack of GIRoA capacity to render authorities solutions or back upwards traditional solutions to address these root causes of instability is a contributing factor to the overall instability inwards RC-E. This surround requires tailored solutions to the issues with-in RC-E, district past times district, valley past times valley together with tribe past times tribe. The population’s perception of the Coalition, GIRoA, the Insurgency together with other actors is a critical element inwards agreement RC-E together with its environment.
RC-E’s 450-mile border amongst Islamic Republic of Pakistan includes the FATA, together with Waziristan. The presence of Pakistani troops inwards this portion has grown from 30,000 inwards 2005 to 130,000 past times 2010, indicating the grade of importance the Pakistani authorities sees inwards this area.[viii] The FATA contains insurgent groups that threaten both the GIRoA together with the Government of Pakistan.
Perceptions past times the population that the coalition seeks to implement western solutions together with institutions challenge traditional governance together with civilization inwards Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan together with cast the footing of distrust of coalition forces past times the people. The population’s perception that the coalition is kinetic/security focused, isolated from the Afghan people, traveling fast inwards large armored convoys, conducting nighttime raids, together with causing civilian casualties furthers the grade of distrust past times the people. Civilian casualties (CIVCAS) are a major influence inwards the population’s perception of Coalition ways together with agency inwards Afghanistan. Although the insurgents have 90% of CIVCAS, the population perceives the coalition is causing the vast bulk civilian casualties. Lastly, the perception that coalition forces are non inwards Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan for the “long haul” inwards back upwards of Afghan goals vs. Coalition goals. These perceptions foster an isolation of the coalition from the population inwards number creating cultural casualties, thereby hampering effective engagement at the local grade together with effective COIN.
The population to a greater extent than oft than non perceives GIRoA equally beingness corrupt, ineffective together with catering to Coalition together with western desires vice those of the people. The people also consider GIRoA equally Kabul centric amongst niggling concern for the rural population together with their challenges. Weak Afghan safety institutions lack the mightiness to protect the people from insurgents; this feeling is especially needlelike inwards perceptions of the ANP, together with the Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) specifically. The weakness together with lack of professionalism inwards the AUP tin go traced to the fact that 80% have got received no formal grooming together with lack the weapons together with equipment to defend themselves against insurgents. The lack of evolution together with governance farther the population’s perception of a authorities separated from the people together with lacks the capability to render for basic services together with dispute resolution.
Multiple external actors influence the Afghan population; the predominant ones are Pakistan, Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) together with the international media. Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a partner inwards the disruption of insurgent liberty of motion together with sanctuary; nonetheless the menstruum of back upwards to the Afghan insurgency has non stopped together with tacit back upwards from some rogue elements of the Pakistani safety forces to the insurgency reinforces the populations concern nigh long-term coalition commitments to Afghanistan. The perception of various NGO’s goals together with agendas is at times inwards conflict amongst local, national desires together with coalition plans, resulting inwards mismanagement of aid, fostering corruption, contradictory messages together with the failure to come across the requirements of the local population.
The insurgency consists of a complex network of groups, amongst costless equally good as, competing agendas.[ix] The threat inwards RC-E is non solely based on the insurgent, but past times factors such equally corruption, poor governance, together with lack of opportunity. The insurgent focus on exploiting negative perceptions of GIRoA together with Coalition forces is their original effort. The insurgencies attacks are supporting efforts designed to gain traditional together with nontraditional media attending together with to onset the volition of both Western together with Afghan populations to combat the insurgency. The insurgency’s mightiness to create total the void of GIRoA governance through shadow governments inwards for sure areas / circumstances perpetuates the perception that GIRoA cannot render for the people. The shadow governments lack the mightiness to render long term or sustainable governance solutions together with are vulnerable when they endeavour to implement command of a geographic area. The threat inwards RC-E is non uniform. In the northern provinces of RC-E, it is a “toxic stew of insurgent groups” including Al Qeada (AQ), Hez-bi Islami (HIG), Tehrik Taliban-i Islamic Republic of Pakistan (TTiP), Afghan Taliban, Haqqani together with Tehrik-e-Nefaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM).[x] The southern provinces of RC-E consist of Afghan Taliban together with Haqqani Network.
The Haqqani Network (HQN) operates almost exclusively inwards RC-E together with has a developed network inwards both Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan together with Pakistan.[xi] Its origins appointment dorsum to the Soviet business of Afghanistan, indicating its resiliency together with mightiness to sustain operations. HQN has developed into a twosome betwixt several insurgent groups inwards RC-E, manipulating each grouping to increment its ain strength together with expand its influence.[xii] Traditionally located inwards the Khost together with Paktya area, HQN has expanded some operations into Nangahar together with Logar. Despite its failure to deliver a tactical victory inwards its attacks on coalition bases, HQN has been able to spread its influence through its mightiness to manipulate local populations through threats, intimidation together with information.[xiii] HQNs heavy-handed tactics have got resulted inwards some fissures within the populations previously sympathetic to it.[xiv] HQN remains an influential insurgent grouping despite these failures, primarily due its leadership living safely within the Federal Administered Tribal Area of Pakistan. HQN continues to go a pregnant threat to the Afghan population, primarily due to their utilisation of suicide bombers together with vehicular bomb attacks inwards urban areas.
The operational surround inwards RC-E is a complex together with dynamic surround amongst GIRoA together with the Coalition competing for the populations back upwards against the Taliban together with its allied groups. This contest is occurring inwards a portion that lacks basic infrastructure together with that inwards many areas has non changed inwards over 100 years. The terrain provides pregnant wages to the insurgency including a safehaven across the border. Although in that location are pregnant urban areas, the population is primarily rural relying on subsistence agriculture equally their primary source of livelihood. RC-E surrounds Kabul, together with is hence the first off telephone commutation expanse to consider inwards the expansion of influence beyond the capital. Cultural considerations for the population exhibit strong tribal identities, a deeply religious connections, a strong sense of accolade together with wishing for justice. Within this environment, the Coalition seeks to bolster together with expand GIRoA to secure its ain population together with deny the insurgency together with terrorists a sanctuary from which they tin operate.
ISAF / IJC Strategy
ISAF together with IJC developed an operational COIN strategy that is population centric equally opposed to an insurgent focused strategy.[xv] The population is the objective together with the insurgency is an obstruction to go overcome inwards achieving this objective. This strategy does non ignore the threat of insurgent forces but seeks to dissever the population from the insurgency through the population’s protection, together with the increased economical together with evolution opportunities provided through GIRoA. The strategy focuses on establishing safety inwards Kandahar equally the original effort, amongst supporting together with shaping operations inwards Regional Command-East, patch conducting economic scheme of forcefulness inwards Regional Command’s West together with North.[xvi] IJC developed a create of Key Terrain Districts equally a method of implementing this population centric strategy.
IJC initially identified 41 KTDs inwards RC-E, which through improvement tin render a marked wages to GIRoA together with a marked disadvantage to the insurgency. The IJC operational concept links select KTD’s together with populations to GIRoA together with improves evolution together with governance through improved security. The IJC Islamic Republic of Pakistan Focus expanse is designed to create synergistic effects on both sides of the border benefiting both Pakistani together with Afghan populations through improved safety together with economical opportunity. Key Terrain Districts are districts that have got pregnant population, sit down astride telephone commutation solid set down lines of communication, together with possess economical / developmental potential. These areas were seen equally the objective for both the Government of the Islamic Republic of Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (GIRoA) together with the insurgency.[xvii] The KTDs correspond source of mightiness for both, via the population. In examining the terrain together with surround of RC-E, several mutual factors became apparent. First provincial capitals accounted for 10 of 45 KTDs inwards RC-E. These capitals had a stair out of successful security, governance together with evolution due to the resources that had been applied to them over time. Second, the KTD’s to a greater extent than oft than non followed the lines of communication betwixt Kabul together with the provincial capitals. Third, the KTDs were developed inwards coordination amongst GIRoA to ensure a synchronized focus for both coalition together with Afghan efforts. The KTD create sharpened the IJC have concept to focus on these telephone commutation LOCs amongst pregnant population sympathetic to the insurgency, something the mission inwards Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan had lacked since the get-go of the war.
In back upwards of the ISAF together with IJC Main Effort inwards RC-S, CJTF-101 focus is on IJC Supporting Effort located inwards the Highway 7 Corridor linking Kabul through Torkham Gate (IJC priority 1 Border Crossing) to Pakistan, this exertion also links Kabul to Economy of Force operations inwards RC N together with RC-W. The IJC Shaping exertion along the Highway 1 Corridor links Kabul to the IJC Main Effort inwards RC-S together with connects Kabul to Kandahar to expand GIRoA influence. This expanse is shaped through partnership amongst ANSF, patch maintaining evolution together with governance improvements inwards select KTDs. Highway 1 is also a regulation interior GLOC for the expansion of GIRoA influence exterior of Kabul, non only to Kandahar, but also to the Paktya together with Khost Provinces. The IJC Islamic Republic of Pakistan Focus expanse is designed to create synergistic effects on both sides of the border benefiting both Pakistani together with Afghan populations through improved safety together with economical chance together with is focused following to RC-E.
The challenge amongst the inwards a higher house strategy is that it is non genuinely population centric. The areas amongst the most potential for progress, expansion of GIRoA governance, together with population are non inwards the original effort. It also focuses on a clear, hold, build, develop construct. The approach of “Clear, Hold, Build” is appropriate to RC-S, but these activities been occurring simultaneously throughout RC-E for some fourth dimension together with the expanse is to a greater extent than suitable for a Combined Action approach.[xviii] The grade of evolution together with maturity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is significantly greater inwards RC-E farther supporting a Combined Action approach to both develop those forces together with secure the population. The Main Effort / Supporting Effort model used past times IJC tin communicate an all or nil application of resources. It also fails to fully push clit the larger context of the have together with how unlike areas require unlike resources to attain the desired effects. The surround together with desired goals dictated CJTF-101 examine the mightiness of the authorities to spread its influence within areas where safety forces have got established atmospheric condition for governance/development patch shaping areas for farther expansion.
Campaign Adjustments together with 45 Day Assessment
“This have computer program revision does non grade a alter inwards RC-E strategy. Rather, it recognizes the importance of governance together with safety provided past times GIRoA at the local level, enabled past times a competent police push clit forcefulness together with credible authorities officials…preserve the gains made amongst the Afghan National Army, together with attain similar results amongst the Afghan Border Police together with Uniformed Police.”_
-- MG John F. Campbell, CJTF-101 Campaign Strategy, 31 July 2010[xix]
CJTF-101 initially developed its commander’s mission together with intent during pre-deployment have computer program development. Following supposition of the mission inwards RC-E the leadership together with staff realized the surround together with integration of the civilian platform had non been fully evaluated. This gap inwards knowledge required the staff to comport a 45-day assessment to revise the analysis of the surround together with integrate all aspects of the civilian platform into the have plan. This assessment generated 4 original areas for revision.
The first off was the mission statement. Initially the mission included a target appointment of July 2011. During a briefing to GEN Petraeus, he stated that the July 2011 appointment could have uncertainty inwards both our Afghan partners together with within the coalition. Upon review of the mission statement, the reference to July 2011 was deleted patch retaining the destination of establishing atmospheric condition to commence transition to GIRoA.
The 2nd expanse was the commander’s intent. The intent was broadened together with rebranded the “Unified Intent” to fully nest both the military machine together with civilian component. The recognition was made also that our focus on the Afghan Uniformed Police was critical inwards establishing security, governance at the district grade was also essential for sustainable stability. Our original have pattern had elements addressing neutralization of the insurgency. This facial expression was present, but it was determined that the have pattern needed to focus on neutralizing the insurgency to laid overall atmospheric condition for stability inwards the KTDs. The concluding expanse within the intent that required additional emphasis was the progress on several strategic infrastructure projects, some of which had been begun 2 years agone together with were yet to go completed (Gardez – Ghazni Road, Khost-Gardez Road, together with National Electric Power System). These projects needed increased focus past times the RC HQ, ANSF together with the Task Forces to ensure they remained on schedule.
The tertiary expanse is the overall have design. The original decisive betoken determined during pre-deployment planning was the Afghan Uniformed Police located at the District level. This determination came from the assessment of progress amongst the ANA, patch the AUP lacked grooming together with focused coalition partnership. Additionally, the Police were seen equally the most visible sign of GIRoA to the population. Through focusing on AUP evolution together with partnership, CJTF-101 saw the expansion of public confidence inwards GIRoA’s mightiness to render for the populations needs at the district level, thereby expanding GIRoA influence. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 larger holistic await at the District Level showed focus on AUP to only address component subdivision of the problem. There were pregnant gaps inwards basic governance together with dominion of law at the District grade that could non go overcome through AUP development. Based on Civ-Mil integration together with a amend agreement of the operating environment, the CJTF identified the demand to adjust our decisive betoken to go to a greater extent than holistic, broadening it to include civilian resources inwards improver to military machine resources. The restructuring of the decisive betoken allowed the application of a comprehensive approach to address the varied root causes of instability found throughout RC-E. The have pattern itself was validated within the create of 4 shaping operations to attain a unmarried decisive point, gaining the populations trust inwards GIRoA.
The 4th expanse requiring modification of the have computer program was assessing RC-E forcefulness posture for the comport of population centric COIN. Several friendly forcefulness units were located inwards depression population areas together with exterior of KTD’s. In examining these locations, 1 could non utilisation population equally the sole metric. RC-E developed a relative ranking of both KTDs together with forcefulness location based on 3 criteria. These criteria consist of 1) the assessment of electrical flow atmospheric condition inwards the expanse (Security/Governance/Development), 2) the value of that terrain to both friendly together with enemy forces, together with 3) the mightiness to impact the population. It was determined inwards this assessment several locations had been maintained over fourth dimension merely because those locations primarily focused on the enemy. The challenge amongst these locations was that they did non possess sufficient combat mightiness to effectively comport COIN operations from those locations. RC-E also examined the role together with work of Brigade Headquarters. The southern expanse of RC-E has grown from having 1 US of America Brigade roofing half dozen provinces to 4 Brigades (3 US, 1 Coalition) since 2008. The northern expanse of RC-E saw a pocket-size increment from 1 US of America Brigade to 3 Brigades (2 US, 1 Coalition) roofing 8 provinces. It was determined that over fourth dimension the northern expanse of performance had non been resourced to fully address the complexity together with stair of operations. Areas where friendly forces were unable to effectively comport COIN were identified together with through realigning these forces to KTD’s or consolidating them, RC-E tin to a greater extent than effectively execute both the RC-E together with IJC have plan.
Game Changers
During the original have pattern procedure together with the 45-day assessment the CJTF identified several areas that both required command focus together with offered the potential to significantly alter the dynamics inwards RC-E. These Game Changers became the CJTF grade fights, areas for direct influence together with management past times the CJTF. They offering the potential either individually or inwards concert amongst others to create irreversible momentum inwards favor of GIRoA highlighting the inevitability of its success.
The CJTF grade focus within the safety line of operations focuses on enabling the AUP through combined activeness patch sustaining the ANA. Maximize the surge of coalition forces to enable the shift inwards focus to the AUP patch increasing Afghan liberty of movement. Focus on District reinforcement to dissever the insurgents from the population patch providing a secure platform for the expansion of governance together with evolution at the District Level. Extend the orbit of GIRoA through back upwards for the Afghan Local Police Initiative, expanding the safety footprint from the District Center to surrounding villages. Connect telephone commutation populations to both centers of commerce together with to their authorities through strategic infrastructure (G-G /K-G Roads). Support the Afghan Reintegration together with Reconciliation Program to enable sustainable Afghan political solutions amongst the insurgency. Deny safehaven inwards Islamic Republic of Pakistan to insurgents through engagement amongst PAKMIL to comport costless operations amongst ANSF. Reenergize our information together with communications efforts focusing our partnership together with commitment to Afghanistan, the inevitability of GIRoAs success over the insurgency together with the fact that insurgents have 90% of civilian casualties, These game changers all reinforce the mightiness of RC-E to impact the revised decisive point, the neutralization of the insurgency sufficiently so that it tin no longer isolate the population from the legitimate authorities together with that governance at the district grade inwards KTDs is increasing the populations trust inwards GIRoA.
Unified Mission together with Intent
RC-E equally a unified squad inwards total partnership amongst Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) together with inwards coordination amongst other Afghan institutions, joint, interagency together with multinational organizations conducts population centric, comprehensive counterinsurgency operations focused on telephone commutation terrain to neutralize the insurgency, increment the competency together with credibility of Afghan institutions, together with facilitate evolution to laid the safety together with stability atmospheric condition to commence transition to GIRoA.[xx] We volition protect the population inwards RC-E by, amongst together with through Afghan institutions to dissever the insurgency from the population. We volition piece of work amongst Afghans to gain the population’s trust inwards GIRoA officials using the District Centers inwards KTDs equally the platform for establishing the atmospheric condition necessary to commence transition IAW amongst ISAF transition plan. Our measures of success volition focus on the populations belief inwards the legitimate government, AUP together with district governance represented past times the district pump perceived equally capable, credible together with secure, the Afghan people able to displace freely, the ANA postured to assume safety responsibility, the Insurgency neutralized allowing the population to back upwards GIRoA, Strategic infrastructure projects unimpeded past times safety threats, indicators of business, agriculture together with standards of living are rising, together with that corrupt official inwards KTDs are held accountable.
RC-E Concept of Operations
“For it is inwards the nature of warfare…that the first must go maintained, that the
regular regular army must atomic number 82 patch its adversaries follow, together with that the enemy must be
made to experience a moral inferiority throughout. There must go no dubiety equally to which side
is inwards the ascendant, no interrogation equally to who controls the full general course of written report of the war…”
-- C. E. Callwell, Small Wars, 1896[xxi]
The RC-E concept of this performance is to protect the population inwards Key Terrain Districts. The turning betoken inwards this conflict occurs when the people of Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan spend upwards the insurgency physically together with psychologically together with convey GIRoA equally the legitimate authorisation inwards Afghanistan. As such, the decisive performance is to gain the Afghan people’s trust inwards GIRoA’s capability together with credibility together with their commitment to resist INS influence together with activity inwards selected priority districts within each KTD corridor. The decisive performance is conducted throughout the RC simultaneously amongst the organic resources each Task Force is assigned. RC-E achieves this decisive performance through synchronizing security, governance together with evolution throughout the RC patch neutralizing the insurgency inwards KTDs through combined action. This is decisive because no amount of economical growth, governance capacity, or safety operations volition have got enduring effects if the population does non cognitively align amongst GIRoA.
The decisive betoken is when the population inwards the KTDs rejects insurgent activity together with influence patch accepting the legitimacy together with authorisation of GIRoA. We volition operationalize this past times executing our operations along our half dozen lines of effort: Protect the Population, Bolster Capacity together with Credibility of Afghan Government Institutions, Support Socio-economic Development, Enable Afghan Security Forces, Neutralize Negative Influences, together with Information. The decisive betoken is when the population inwards the KTDs views AUP equally competent together with trustworthy, together with the ANP capacity is sufficient to grip threats to stability. This decisive betoken is measurable past times survey data, together with other indicators such equally population cooperation WRT IED emplacement, where the people are turning for dispute resolution, together with whom the population turns to when they have got an emergency.
Shaping Operation 1 is the expansion of governance together with evolution inwards KTDs along Hwy 7 past times neutralizing the insurgency through Combined Action amongst the ANSF together with enabling GIRoA through Unified Action focusing on existing institutions at the District Level together with protecting the afghan people’s liberty of movement, inwards monastic say to gain the populations trust inwards GIRoA together with increment their economical opportunities. Additionally, this expanse has already seen a neat bargain of evolution together with has semi-functioning governance structures inwards house that volition facilitate farther expansion. Shaping Operation 1 is the IJC Supporting Effort along the Highway 7 corridor. Highway 7 is the regulation revenue source for GIRoA through customs collection together with links Kabul to Islamabad together with subsequent export routes for Afghan goods. Torkham Gate is the number 1 priority crossing betoken for IJC together with contributes through customs upwards to 20% of Afghan Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The expanse is also the most densely populated inwards RC-E comprising the largest population inwards RC-E’s KTD’s. The portion has pregnant agricultural together with economical potential, equally good equally facilitating the connexion of Kabul to markets inwards Islamic Republic of Pakistan together with India. The corridor represents a pregnant chance for the expansion of revenue together with economical growth for GIRoA equally good as, demonstrating GIRoAs mightiness to render security, services together with governance to the population. This chance influences the population inwards Islamic Republic of Pakistan also, equally border traffic increases. This shaping exertion focuses on evolution together with governance to increment economical chance together with increment GIRoA penetration together with competence inwards the corridor, patch continuing to improve the safety situation. This exertion also recognizes RC-E AO influences Kabul equally the pump of government.
Shaping Operation 2 secures Freedom of Movement through combined together with unified activeness along HWY 1 inwards monastic say to facilitate economical chance inwards these KTDs amongst a focus on Ghazni. This expanse of KTD’s represents the 2nd highest population density for RC (E) together with supports the IJC ME inwards RC(S). FOM along this economical corridor is critical for 3 reasons. First, it is the primary menstruum of people, guns, together with coin to the INS inwards RC(S). Second, it is a principal artery for commerce generating inwards the Kandahar expanse together with flowing northward to Kabul. Because of this, FOM along this HWY volition render the greatest likelihood of evolution together with growth for the population inwards these KTDs. Shaping Operation 2 is the IJC Shaping Effort along Highway 1. This corridor is an expanse of an agrarian population amongst several telephone commutation urban centers. The importance of the corridor is the facilitation of GIRoA connexion to Kandahar, together with influence of GIRoA beyond Kabul. This corridor is also an avenue used past times the insurgency both to impact the IJC ME together with the Capital inwards Kabul. As a corridor, in that location is pregnant chance to increment evolution together with spread GIROA influence through demonstrated progress.
Shaping Operation 3 is to secure Freedom of Movement through combined together with unified activeness along the economical corridor from the Ghulam Khan Border Crossing Point (GK BCP) to HWY 1 inwards monastic say to increment stability together with render chance for the population inwards these KTDs. KTDs inwards this expanse correspond the greatest challenges for safety together with growth. The GK BCP together with the Khost- Gardez Pass route have got potential to significantly increment the economical chance for the population here. Additionally, connecting this portion amongst the economical pump inwards Ghazni via the Ghazni-Gardez road, together with on to Kabul links this expanse of pregnant population to the government. This corridor is a element of the IJC shaping exertion from Ghulam Khan to Highway 1 together with Kabul. This corridor is primarily agrarian but has several telephone commutation urban centers amongst the potential of increased economical opportunities amongst improved safety inwards the KTDs. The mightiness to develop both economical together with governance chance is linked to infrastructure together with the populations liberty of movement. This expanse is also a source of insurgent menstruum together with shadow authorities competing amongst GIRoA. This corridor provides an chance to necktie Highway 7, together with Highway 1 into a comprehensive engine of economical evolution together with governance for GIRoA patch demonstrating GIRoAs commitment to the population.
Shaping Operation 4 sustains progress made inwards Bamian, Parwan, together with Panjshir together with to expand the gains inwards safety together with governance together with development. These efforts volition go along to prepare these provinces for Transition. These provinces are relatively secure, together with the Afghan National Police are the primary agency of conducting safety operations. Security partnership is focused at the Provincial Police Headquarters to solidify ANSF capacity together with capability. ANA presence is limited together with used primarily for quick reaction forcefulness operations together with targeted raids inwards partnership amongst coalition special operations forces. Governance together with Development efforts are enabled through civilian led Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT). The PRTs focus is on establishing sustainable long-term evolution opportunities for the population patch reinforcing the GIRoA capacity to regulation together with render dominion of law. Briefing LTG Doug Lute, on this concept brought this positive feedback, “There is clarity of your analysis that is non introduce inwards your Higher Headquarters.”
Scheme of Maneuver
The RC-E scheme of maneuver was developed to farther hone the concept of performance together with push clit how each shaping performance linked to the decisive performance through the decisive point. The primary focus of the scheme of maneuver was to codify actions both inwards the KTDs together with inwards non-KTDs area. It also described our goals inwards relation to the have computer program for accomplishment past times May 2011 together with necessary atmospheric condition that must go inwards house for the farther accomplishment of the expansion of GIRoA influence. Lastly, the scheme of maneuver links the persistent presence of safety forces inwards the KTDs to the repetitive raiding of insurgent targets together with lines of infiltration inwards non-KTDs.[xxii]
Reinforcing the have approach of combined action, RC-E seeks to neutralize the insurgency by, amongst together with through ANSF (Shoulder to Shoulder) patch reinforcing areas that have got shown progress. This is to go past times the comport of offensive shaping operations to laid atmospheric condition for the expansion of safety from select areas. We attain this past times attacking the network inwards the KTD’s to neutralize together with attacking the network to disrupt the insurgency inwards non-KTDs. RC-E continues interdiction of cross border infiltration routes from Islamic Republic of Pakistan together with protects Afghan liberty of motion along major highways. These operations exterior the KTD’s flora atmospheric condition for futurity expansion of GIRoA beyond the KTDs.
RC-E expands together with reinforces areas that have got shown both a willingness to back upwards GIRoA together with established atmospheric condition that facilitate development. This expansion is conducted simultaneously from Kabul into districts of Wardak, Logar, Sarobi together with Laghman. In Nangahar, the gains inwards Jalalabad are expanded westward to link into the Kabul Security Zone. From Ghazni the focus of expansion is to the eastward toward Sharan together with Orgun. The expansion of governance from Khost seeks to link inwards to Gardez together with so into southern Logar. These focus areas create clusters of progress connecting the population to GIRoA from the sub-national to the national grade along those corridors that introduce the greatest potential for sustainable progress along all lines of effort.
Through these efforts, RC-E establishes telephone commutation atmospheric condition for futurity growth together with expansion. These atmospheric condition relate to the evolution of infrastructure, enabling the ANSF, together with evolution of GIRoA institutional capability for governance. The condition-setting element of the scheme of maneuver allows for the continuation of expansion together with telephone commutation enabling programs beyond May 2011.
Critical infrastructure projects that allow for the expansion of GIRoA influence include the Khost-Gardez Road, Gardez – Ghazni Road, Salang Tunnel, Electrification, together with Border crossing betoken evolution at Torkham Gate together with Ghulam Khan. Road construction is a vehicle for the expansion of safety together with governance to these populations linking clusters of districts to the provincial upper-case missive of the alphabet together with to Kabul.[xxiii] The ANSF volition go along to go enabled through planned expansion together with alignment within the forcefulness structure, expansion of the ALP Initiative, together with the coordination betwixt Coalition, ANSF together with Islamic Republic of Pakistan military machine for costless border operations. GIRoA is enabled through coalition assistance inwards establishment of dominion of law programs together with centers, the coalition civilian uplift focused on District Reinforcement, together with back upwards of the Afghan reintegration program.
The scheme of maneuver depicts the actualization of the decisive performance together with decisive betoken through the simultaneous expansion of governance through shaping amongst combined action. It highlights the role of enemy focused operations within the have to non only neutralize the insurgency, but also develop capacity inwards the ANSF to combat local threats to stability. The expansion of safety from Kabul together with provincial capitals links GIRoA to the population over the original lines of commerce facilitating the evolution of economical opportunity. The strategic infrastructure projects identified inwards the scheme of maneuver are non exactly roads, but avenues for the expansion of security, the extension of GIRoA influence, together with for liberty of motion for the population. Conditions that must go established together with monitored for long-term expansion together with maintenance of safety gains highlight the enduring aspects of the create out inwards RC-E.
“Do non essay to do likewise much amongst your ain hands. Better the Arabs do it tolerably
than that y'all do it perfectly. It is their war, together with y'all are to assist them, non to win it
for them. Actually, also, nether the rattling strange atmospheric condition of Arabia, your practical
work volition non go equally adept as, perhaps, y'all remember it is.”
-- T.E. Lawrence, 27 Articles[xxvi]
Combined together with Unified Action are agency to attain our decisive performance through the decisive point. Both actions are inherently tied together together with complimentary. Neither lone tin gain decisive results. Combined together with Unified Action are a comprehensive coordinated exertion to acquire the correct resources across our Lines of Effort to the correct house together with at the correct fourth dimension to laid atmospheric condition for success inwards KTDs. RC-E seeks to flora adept plenty atmospheric condition to enable expansion of governance together with development. The synchronization of Combined Action together with Unified Action to attain decisive results is past times amongst together with through GIRoA, synchronized amongst IJC IAW the route map for development. Comprehensive application of both military machine together with civilian resources is necessary to direct impact the population inwards a positive way. This unopen partnership serves to reinforce those institutions together with individuals performing good patch shoring upwards faltering ones together with marginalizing those working against GIRoA. The application of Combined together with Unified Action is conducted broadly throughout RC-E, maintaining a focus on telephone commutation terrain together with maintaining the mightiness to focus combat mightiness to neutralize the insurgency inwards non- telephone commutation terrain districts. [xxvii]
CJTF-101 partners amongst both GIRoA governance together with safety elements to increment capability together with capacity, together with necktie tribal together with local concerns to GIRoA. Combined Action focuses on ANSF amongst priority to AUP elements inwards KTDs. TACs mentorship focuses on 202nd / 505th AUP inwards conjunction amongst supporting ANA together with Border Zones 1 together with 2. Priorities to improve ANSF Combined Action are through the District Centers, Provincial Police Headquarters, Operational Coordination Center – Provincial (OCC-P), together with OCC – Regional (OCC-R). The safety focus assists local governance efforts to secure earth together with puts the most visible cast of GIRoA, the AUP, upwards front.
CJTF-101 Leaders focus on improving leadership together with management from the local to Provincial level. Combined Action focuses on ANSF inwards priority, specifically expanding the CJTF 101 TAC’s mentorship to focus on 202st / 505th ANP together with Border Zones 1 together with 2 to impact our decisive betoken together with developing Combined Action (ANA/AUP) mechanisms to address local safety concerns. Vehicles to improve ANSF Combined Action are through the District Police HQ, Provincial Police HQ, OCC-R’s together with OCC-P’s. This safety focus demonstrates initial GIRoA capability to secure the population together with puts the most visible cast of GIROA, the AUP, upwards front; however, synchronization of Unified Action to deliver improved governance together with economical activity demonstrates both GIRoAs long term commitment together with that of the international community. With limited resources inwards both IJC together with RC-E, select KTDs are the priority. Setting atmospheric condition for introduction of Afghan programs to demonstrate capability. This however, does non alter the RC-E focus inwards all KTD’s along our lines of exertion within our resources constraints.
This exertion at synchronization amongst all coordinating elements is essential to success. RC-E remains nested to IJC priorities, patch assessing progress inwards other KTD’s. Coordination betwixt SOF together with PAKMIL is also essential at achieving synergy betwixt Unified together with Combined activeness to improve the status of the population.
The synchronization of Combined together with Unified Action is critical inwards the demonstration of GIRoAs commitment together with its improved mightiness to regulation displacing insurgent mechanisms together with separating the population from the insurgency.
District Reinforcement
“Internal Warfare within a population, especially inwards cities, to a greater extent than oft than non involves an
extensive police push clit operation. There is also an intensive propaganda effort, destined
primarily to create the steps that are taken understood [by the population]. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 broad
social computer program follows, the objective of which is to give the people the material
and moral assistance necessary to permit them to resume their normal activities
quickly later operations are over.”
-- Trinquier, Roger. Modern Warfare—a French View of Counterinsurgency, 1964.[xxviii]
The purpose of District Reinforcement is to neutralize the insurgency past times amongst together with through Afghan institutions patch increasing capacity of those institutions to function. The District Center volition go the platform for GIRoA officials to gain the populations trust thereby separating the insurgency from the population. District Reinforcement is conducted across all lines of operation. Coalition forces volition render a CIV/MIL capability that facilitates daily engagement amongst Afghan Officials at the District Center (DC), a persistent presence of the combined together with unified team.[xxix] They volition comport Combined together with Unified Action at the lowest levels amongst forces together with enablers to mentor together with improve the capacity of the AUP together with District officials inwards KTDs. Through a constant presence, they volition render safety for the DC to allow it to operate unloosen from INS influence, twenty-four hours or night. Combined together with Unified Action at the district Center creates enduring partnerships that seek to improve GIRoAs mightiness to render local security, dominion of law together with economical chance to the population generating the populations trust together with confidence inwards the government.
Coalition forces volition forthwith commence conducting Combined Action amongst the AUP to secure the DC together with ensure Freedom of Movement for the authorities together with population of the district. The Unified Team volition render mentorship together with grooming on a daily footing to assist Afghan officials at the DC to render authorities services, dominion of law, together with other administrative functions. Development projects are to go handled inwards the DC patch incorporating the traditional governance construction inwards decision-making, eventually giving the responsibleness for local evolution to the GIRoA district government. Information flows through the DC to the people amongst back upwards from the Unified Team. The purpose of this is to focus our mentorship, projects, together with combat mightiness at the district grade to develop GIRoA’s mightiness to regulation together with connect them to the population.
Key enabling capability employed inwards back upwards of DR includes the positioning of Law Enforcement Professionals (LEP), Civil Affairs Teams, District Support Teams, Law Enforcement Trainers together with communication infrastructure. LEP’s amongst the district investigatory together with prosecutorial GIRoA official’s assist inwards grooming together with evolution of constitutionally based dominion of law programs. LEP’s also propose both coalition together with GIRoA on best practices inwards marginalizing together with neutralizing negative influencers. Civil Affairs teams augment coalition forces at the DC to develop district grade economical chance together with infrastructure. District Support Teams are the Unified Action element of reinforcement. They include US of America Agency for International Development (USAID), US of America Department of Agriculture (USDA), US of America Department of State (USDOS) personnel to partner direct amongst the GIRoA leadership. Law enforcement trainer’s partner amongst the AUP at the district pump to assist inwards the edifice of sustainable police push clit capability focused at daily police push clit operations, police push clit management, together with basic law enforcement. The expansion of communications infrastructure at the DC includes connecting the DC to the Provincial leadership through internet, together with to the population through an FM/AM radio located at the DC. These coalition-enabling capabilities are to heighten the mightiness of the district authorities to protect together with render service to the Afghan population.
Most of the population inwards RC-E lives inwards the KTDs together with these District Centers are the critical link betwixt the population together with GIRoA for both the safety together with governance. The District Centers also serve equally a conduit betwixt traditional authorisation structures together with constitutionally based governance amongst regards to dominion of law. Combined / Unified activeness together with mentorship amongst both authorities officials together with safety forces at the district grade allows the local leadership to render safety to the population together with gain their trust. Economic chance provided through increased governance demonstrates GIRoA’s long-term commitment to the population.
Conclusions[xxx]
The upcoming twelvemonth represents a critical betoken inwards the state of war exertion inwards Afghanistan. Domestic political considerations create visible progress towards an independent, capable Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan an absolute imperative. President Obama’s guidance regarding Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan is clear; nosotros must deny al-Qaeda rubber haven. The agreed upon strategy at the ISAF together with IJC grade is 1 of population-centric counter-insurgency to accomplish President’s Obama’s goals. Nested within the concept of “population-centric” COIN is the Key Terrain District construct, which identifies areas amongst a combination of concentrated population together with physical infrastructure, which are critical to GIRoA success. However, the implementation of this strategy is non genuinely “population-centric”. To find the critical COIN focus upon the population of Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan RC-E must go reprioritized equally the original exertion for 5 reasons: location of Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan population, economical considerations, location, domestic together with international legitimacy, together with demonstration of success.
If COIN is to go genuinely “population-centric”, the focus must go on RC-E. RC-E controls territory that contains over vii 1000000 citizens compared only 2 1000000 for RC-S; this is over 3 times the size of the electrical flow original effort. Controlling the terrain associated amongst this massive concentration of population is critical to both the curt together with long-term success of GIRoA. The KTD create also supports RC-E equally a original exertion amongst RC-E containing 45 of 88 KTDs. In the implementation of the KTD construct, IJC is identifying RC-E equally possessing all the characteristics of a original exertion without resourcing it equally such. Those KTDs correspond locations amongst a critical concentration of population, physical infrastructure, commerce routes, together with economical production. Focusing efforts inwards the concentration of KTDs inwards RC-E volition have got a much greater synergistic number than applying resources evenly over Afghanistan.
From an economical perspective, command of the terrain represented past times RC-E is critical to the curt together with long-term success of GIRoA. Twenty per centum of Afghan gross domestic product together with twoscore per centum of the revenue of GIRoA comes from border customs revenue at the Torkham Gate. From a transportation perspective, the commerce from this vital border crossing flows exclusively through RC-E to Kabul along highway 7. Additionally, a 2nd major east-west corridor from Ghulam Khan to Kabul volition farther increment the economical importance of RC-E. Finally, the bulk of the economical corridor represented past times Highway 1 from Kandahar to Kabul resides within RC-E. Controlling these economical corridors volition ensure that short-term economical gains from international contributions tin develop into long-term sustainable economical growth for Afghanistan.
From a location perspective, RC-E surrounds Kabul. This location makes RC-E uniquely critical since it protects Kabul together with is a logical starting betoken to expand the “oil-spot” of governance together with safety into the residue of Afghanistan. An expansion of governance strategy must necessarily start amongst Kabul together with spread from RC-E along the telephone commutation lines of communication (Highways 1 together with 7) to orbit Kandahar together with solidify whatsoever safety gains made there. The portion surrounding Highway 1 equally it travels S to Kandahar is some other critical economical corridor. Though the safety province of affairs does non currently merit the tipping betoken analogy used amongst Nangahar, this portion has the potential for immediate, drastic safety gains amongst the improver of Force Package 3 into Paktika together with the repositioning of forces into Ghazni. With this improved safety province of affairs together with the evolution of the east-west corridor from the Ghulam Khan Border Crossing Point, the Highway 1 economical corridor through Ghazni could equal that of Highway 7 through Nangahar.
Regarding domestic together with international legitimacy, President Obama’s guidance regarding al-Qaeda necessitates a focus on RC-E since the remaining elements of AQ operate within RC-E along the border amongst Pakistan. HQN has also begun to facilitate the operations of various insurgent groups, including al-Qaeda inwards Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan together with Pakistan. The HQN operating bases are inwards the FATA together with influence Kabul through RC-E. The focus of kinetic activities inwards Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan must clearly reverberate the president’s prioritization of defeating AQ together with denying them rubber haven; to accomplish the 2nd component subdivision of the President’s guidance HQN must go defeated equally well.
Finally, together with maybe most critically, RC-E tin gain the “visible” progress that the American people together with political leaders demand to see. Recently RC (E) has benefited past times a greatly improved safety province of affairs inwards many of the provinces due to gains inwards local together with provincial authorities structures together with leadership. The provinces of Bamian, Parwan, together with Panjshir are ready for transition amongst a greatly reduced insurgent threat that tin go handled past times the partnered ANSF together with coalition forces inwards the region. Those provinces also possess adept Afghan governmental leadership which is overseeing the genesis of organic dominion of law linking traditional tribal structures to constitutionally based formal structures. In addition, the beginnings of sustainable economical growth are occurring throughout these provinces due to the improved safety province of affairs together with international donor contributions. Nangahar province, the beginnings of the stability seen inwards Bamian, Parwan, together with Panjshir are also occurring. Though non equally far progressed, the province of affairs inwards Nangahar is apace approaching a tipping betoken at which irreversible momentum volition transform the province into the economical pump of post-conflict Afghanistan. Nangahar’s improved safety gains volition interpret into fifty-fifty greater economical gains for Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan since it straddles the Highway 7 economical corridor from the Torkham Gate to Kabul. In addition, the vibrant metropolis of Jalalabad is apace becoming an instance of modernization for the residue of Afghanistan.
RC-E is the most critical portion inwards Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan for immediate together with long-term success. RC-E forms the confluence of population, governance, economical chance together with threat. The electrical flow RC-E strategy volition gain results inwards line amongst both US of America national interests together with ISAF. The fourth dimension required to gain these results is based on resourcing together with prioritization past times the ISAF Joint Command. The safety province of affairs inwards RC-S, although improving, does non contain the dramatic potential to exhibit immediate gains. This strategy must go resourced together with prioritized fully to generate the irreversible momentum required inwards a counter-insurgency have where the population rejects insurgent activity together with influence patch accepting the legitimacy together with authorisation of GIRoA. The entire region, which makes upwards RC-E, is poised together with ready to exhibit immediate success.
The opinions expressed hither are the author’s together with do non reverberate US of America Army or US of America Department of Defense policy.
End Notes
[i] Roger Trinquier, Modern Warfare: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 French View of Counterinsurgency, (Combat Studies Institute, US of America Army Command together with General Staff College Ft Leavenworth, KS 1964), p65.
[ii] Department of the Army, Field Manual 3.24, Counterinsurgency (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, Dec 2006), 4-3.
[iii] Department of the Army, Field Manual 5.0, The Operations Process (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, Feb 2008), Chapter 3.
[iv] Department of the Army, Field Manual 5.0, 2-5.
[v] KTD Definition: They correspond the agreed upon combination of concentrated population together with physical infrastructure that the command of together with back upwards from provides a marked wages to either the GIRoA or the insurgents, to include; population centers, commerce routes, production areas, border crossing points. The purpose of the KTDs inwards OPERATION OMID is to focus limited governance, development, together with safety resources for maximum number for the Afghan Government inwards back upwards of the Afghan people: to maximize number on population centers, commerce routes, production centers; together with to render safety to enable governance together with development.
[vi] Complex Adaptive System: They are complex inwards that they are various together with made upwards of multiple interconnected elements together with adaptive inwards that they have got the capacity to alter together with learnfrom experience.
[vii] 40% of the population inwards RC-E is Pashtun, 30% Tajik 10% Hazara, 8% Uzbek.
[viii] Department of Defense, “Report on Progress Toward Security together with Stability inwards Afghanistan,” (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office), Apr 2010, 33.
[ix] Insurgency: The insurgency inwards RC-E is composed of multiple groups including the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network, Hez-bi Islami, together with Tehrik Taliban-i Pakistan.
[x] Stephen Townsend, Deputy Commanding General Operations CJTF-101, 1 October 2010.
[xi] Anand Gopal, Mansur Khan Mahsud, Brian Fishman, “Inside the Haqqani Network,” 03 June 2010,http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/06/03/inside_the_haqqani_network_0 (accessed 4 September 2010).
[xii] Institute for the Study of War, “Haqqani Network,”http://www.understandingwar.org/themenode/haqqani-network (accessed 4 September 2010).
[xiii] Bill Roggio, “US troops defeat Haqqani Network onset on base of operations inwards Khost,” 22 September 2010,
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/09/us_troops_defeat_haq.php#ixzz11rvtZ3xr (accessed 4 September 2010).
[xiv] Seth G. Jones, Arturo Munoz, “Afghanistan’s Local War Building Local Defense Forces,” Rand Corporation National Defense Research Institute, 2010, 13.
[xv] Department of Defense, “Report on Progress Toward Security together with Stability inwards Afghanistan,” 11-18.
[xvi] Department of Defense, “Report on Progress Toward Security together with Stability inwards Afghanistan,” 25.
[xvii] Department of Defense, “Report on Progress Toward Security together with Stability inwards Afghanistan,” 6.
[xviii] Department of the Army, Field Manual 3.24, Counterinsurgency (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, Dec 2006), 5-18.
[xix] John F. Campbell together with Thomas B. Gibbons, Letter to Military together with Civilian Members of CJTF-101 together with RC-East, (31 July 2010).
[xx] Comprehensive COIN- FM3.24, Neutralize – JP 1-02, Transition– (IJC) The betoken at which responsibleness for safety shifts to GIRoA (ANSF inwards the lead).
[xxi] C. E. Callwell, Small Wars, 1896
[xxii] David Killcullen, “The Accidental Guerilla: Fighting Small Wars inwards the Midst of a Big One,” Oxford University Press, 2009, 96.
[xxiii] David Killcullen, “The Accidental Guerilla: Fighting Small Wars inwards the Midst of a Big One,” Oxford University Press, 2009, 108.
[xxiv] Department of the Army, Field Manual 3.24, Counterinsurgency (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, Dec 2006), 5-23.
[xxv] Unified Action is the application of the military machine term Combined Action past times the Civilian Platform amongst the HN government.
[xxvi] T.E. Lawrence, 27 Articles (The Arab Bulletin, 20 August 1917).
[xxvii] David Killcullen, “The Accidental Guerilla: Fighting Small Wars inwards the Midst of a Big One,” Oxford University Press, 2009, 265.
[xxviii] Trinquier, 43.
[xxix] David Killcullen, “The Accidental Guerilla: Fighting Small Wars inwards the Midst of a Big One,” Oxford University Press, 2009, 97.
[xxx] Dean Mitchell, “RC-E the Main Effort,” White Paper Bagram Afghanistan, 2010.
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