3rd BCT’s newly activated STT to support integrated tactics

Story and Photo by
Spc. Hillary Rustine
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division

Col. Richard Kim, commander, 3rd BCT, 25th ID, speaks at the stand-up of the STT, at F Quad, Schofield Barracks, Feb. 16.SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, unfurled the newest guidon joining the brigade and activated the Stability Transition Team at F Quad, here, Feb. 16. 

The STT is assigned to 3rd BCT to mentor and teach Afghan national partners while deployed. Each seven-person team is assigned to assist with intelligence, communications, fire support, logistics and infantry tactics with Afghan security forces. 

The overall goal is to improve security for Afghan civilians by working to train and improve their indigenous security forces. 

Each STT also observes and reports on the abilities of the new security forces. The Soldiers work with their Afghan counterparts to develop understanding of the rule of law and human rights.

“One of the traits of the STT is flexibility, which is key to working with Afghan partners,” said Lt. Col. Craig Wagoner, STT, 3rd BCT.

STT members trained for approximately 60 days at a training center in Fort Riley, Kan. They focused on seven core competencies, including combat skills, force protection, team support processes, technical and tactical training, advisor skills, counterinsurgency operations and understanding the Afghan culture. 

Training for the STT was solely focused on the Afghanistan environment, even including language training in Dari and Pashtu. 

Soldiers were selected based on the amount of experience each one has in their area of expertise from all parts of the Army. Personnel for the STT began to arrive, here, in October 2010, with the latest members arriving in mid-February.

The STT will be subdivided into six teams, plus one headquarters team. All teams are organized to reflect the missions and the areas in which the teams will be deployed.

“We are looking for great results in the future,” said Col. Richard Kim, commander, 3rd BCT. 

Category: News