SFAAT

[rero360]

As the title suggests, I recently learned that I am going to head to Afghanistan sometime next year to be part of an SFAAT team as the NCOIC and Fires NCO. Keep in mind I've only been 13F qualified for about 2 years, just became JFO certified and have never been to Afghanistan.

My questions are, has anyone here been on an SFAAT team, or have any experience with Afghanistan with suggestions or pointers for me to make it back? With all recent green on blue incidents it leaves me with an uneasy feeling about it all.

All in all I feel extremely out of my element and unsure of even what skills and all that I should be focusing my attention on honing.

Heck, I don't even know if I'll be medically deployable what with the heart surgery last spring and the motorcycle crash this spring, the ankle is still weak. SRE is in two weeks or so, so there's the chance that I'm stressing out over nothing.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: SFAAT

When you get to A-Stan and go outside the wire or ANYWHERE near NL's(National Locals) ALWAYS have at least two to four of your most trusted Soldiers next to you with arms locked and loaded. No one has to know they are locked and loaded on safe, but those extra eyes around you while you conduct business with the LN's will keep them from trying anything, especially when those four sets of eyes are looking and turning 360, as well as up and down when need be. If I had to deal with locals I always had my gunner, and three rifles with me. The gunner, she was a hot black chick that looked them straight in the eyes and when one asked in english if she was mad, she went,"no, I just want to shoot someone real bad today. you ready?" I think that dude went totally white because her voisce was so low, quiet, and well, meaningful.
Always pay attention wherever you are, on or off post. Make a few of the locals around you semi trusted associates that have been around the guys you are reliving and LISTEN to those guys WELL. 82nd thought they knew their shit when they releived us for OEF VIII and when we told them to KNOW every face because there were 1800 new ones since they were there, they blew us off and got blown up for their trouble 30 days after we left...suicide bomber walked rght up to them, the locals were far enough away and not one of those asshats saw what was happening
. They got one of my firends blown up(lost a leg), 2 Korean SOldiers, and quite a few hurt for their inattention and not paying attention. The controcter, he's really pissed because he rode harleys(He is riding again thanks to a shit ton of hard work) and he loves a good cigar. He is the reason I know the details surrounding that incident

 

[rero360]

Re: SFAAT

Thanks for the advice switch, I've already told the LT that is acting as the go between the LTC and me, and thus the other 5 enlisted soldiers that regardless of where we end up, I want a pistol issued to me in addition to my rifle, plan on keeping that fucker loaded, safety off and hammer down at all times, going to sleep with it.

If I do deploy, I will return home alive, I will do everything in my power, which can be quite a bit depending on what air assets are available to keep me and mine alive.

Its just wild, the thought of going from a team leader to a deployment NCOIC in about a year and a half, its intimidating for sure. My fear is fucking up and one of my soldiers get hurt or killed.

 

[sharac]

Re: SFAAT

If it goes the way it goes by the next year there will be noone to train or advise...They'll be either dead or playing for other team.