Members of Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 44th  Air Defense Artillery Regiment (C/2-44 ADA), the "Strike Fear" Battalion are operating in a non-standard ADA mission in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan.  The "Hellfighters" of the Strike Fear Battalion are currently assigned as the Military Advisory Team to the Afghan National Police Regional Training Center (RTC) – Mehtar Lam. The RTC Mehtar Lam provides a 14-week training course to the Afghan National Civil Order Patrol. The Civil Order Patrol is the highest level of training offered for Afghan National Police and is quickly making a positive impact on the Nation’s security efforts.

     The advisory team is comprised of seven American ADA Soldiers and eight Marines. The Air Defense advisory team members from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, are Staff Sergeant Keith E. Pleva, Sergeant Shaun M. Chumley, Sergeant Preston M. Durham, Specialist Francis M. Markley, Private First Class Marquis D. Samuels, Private First Class Steven G. Miller and First Lieutenant Will D. Andrews. This unique mission positions these Air Defenders at the tip of the spear of the combined effort to improve the capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces. The team is responsible for advising and assisting with all aspects of operations at RTC Mehtar Lam. Typical daily duties include (but are not restricted to) assisting with the running of marksmanship ranges, driver’s training, drill and ceremony, physical training, individual and unit movement techniques, counter-improvised explosive device tactics, logistical accountability procedures, planning and command and control.


       Specialist Francis M. Markley assists with the instruction of students on rifle marksmanship techniques.

     Adapting and immersing themselves into the Afghan culture has been vital to the quick integration of the Hellfighters. The team utilizes seven local national interpreters to communicate and interact with their Afghan counterparts. The RTC commander held a special luncheon to greet his new advisor as guests with open arms. Traditional Afghan food was served along with some fried chicken and fries in an effort to make the American team feel at home in his country. The team continues to build camaraderie and mutual respect with their Afghan counterparts as they work together to secure Afghanistan.

     “Our team is here to help the Afghan Police leadership to function independently and efficiently.  They are improving every day and it is a fulfilling experience to be part of the history that is being made on a daily basis,” said  Andrews, the team’s Officer in Charge.

     The Afghans are taking the lead in securing their country and the success garnered at RTC Mehtar Lam is a positive indicator of what the future holds here in Afghanistan.  In less than two months, the advisory team made great strides with their Afghan counterparts. The Afghans have planned the last eight weeks of training on their own and continue to execute the training themselves. In just over a month, over 220 Afghans will complete their Civil Order Patrol training and head out to their assigned location where they will man their post and protect their people.

     About the author and photographer: First Lieutenant Will D. Andrews is from Nampa, Idaho, a graduate of the American Military University and is assigned to C/2-44 ADA as the Executive Officer and Mehtar Lam Regional Training Center Team Chief. Specialist Francis M. Markley is also assigned to C/2-44 ADA as a Training Advisor and hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.