By U.S. Navy Lt. Jake Joy, NTM-A/CSTC-A Public Affairs
(KABUL, Afghanistan) – A coalition forces-led shuttle flight service that helps Afghan National Army soldiers, recruits and graduates safely travel for training and personal leave is expected to soon transition to full Afghan control.
About 60,000 Afghan soldiers currently use the Special ANSF Leave Travel Program, or “SALT-P,” flights to travel to and from training or take personal leave. A new Afghan-managed solution, known as the Personnel Movement Concept, will soon take over those responsibilities through a contract with an Afghan airline.
The Special ANSF Leave Travel Program, or “SALT-P,” currently provides the daily flights. A new Afghan-managed solution, known as the Personnel Movement Concept, will soon take over those responsibilities through a contract recently awarded to Kam Air, based in Kabul, which will handle flights on behalf of the ANA. Coalition trainers have worked diligently to prepare Afghan personnel for the details of contract oversight, flight schedule planning and boarding processes. Afghan authorities expect to take over leave flight responsibilities in November, with some coalition mentors providing continued support for at least a few months after.The flights are credited with lowering ANA attrition rates and improving overall quality of life for volunteer soldiers by offering an opportunity to visit their families and providing a safer way for troops to travel cross country without risking attacks by extremist groups. About 60,000 Afghan soldiers use the existing program yearly.
As the PMC flights increase in frequency in the coming months, the coalition’s SALT-P role will gradually fade away. Afghan and coalition officials expect the overall size and scope of the mission to grow as the flights begin accommodating not only soldier graduates, recruits, and those on leave, but also delegates, those wounded in action, and the return of human remains.
After Kam Air has taken over the mission and the ANA demonstrates that the process is working smoothly, the remaining portion of the program’s operating budget – totaling about $40 million each year until 2018 – will be transferred to the ANA for execution.
NTM-A recently produced a short news video highlighting the SALT-P program, its coming transition to Afghan control and its impact on the morale of Afghan soldiers. The video can be viewed at the following link:
