Afghan, US forces train together to defeat IEDs

TARINKOT (PAN): Under a clear blue sky in central Uruzgan province, 160 Afghan National Police officials stood in formation awaiting their moment to be sworn in to secure their homes, families and country, graduating from the basic patrol course.

Australian Federal Police, along with a mix of coalition forces, graduated another class of Afghan National Police, adding to the growing population of trained security forces in Afghanistan statement.

Federal Agent Mark Whitfeld of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) was motivated by this class of trainees, along with the Afghan trainers they are tasked to mentor.

“The trainers of the Provincial Training Center have inspired me,” said Whitfeld. “They were able to take charge of the training in a very professional way that showed they are ready to take the lead.”

The training command has stepped back becoming mentors instead of lead teachers, allowing the Afghan trainers to take control of the students.

“This class had great support from the trainers and was a teaching success,” said Whitfeld. “The students were purposeful and proud to be part of the success and security of Afghanistan.”

Along with the US Marines, the AFP train potential graduates in basic policing skills including ethics, domestic violence, and human rights. These skills are taught in addition to basic police skills including marksmanship.

“This is my first class working with the trainers,” said Sgt. Justin Dobson, A. Company, 1-25th Marines, the lead mentor for the marksmanship portion of the ANP training. “Although they are still improving, they really took charge of this class in preparing them to qualify.”

The PTC currently runs six-week classes and will start their next induction course on 7 November. There are 190 Afghan citizens currently signed up for that date.

Some of the graduating students will move on to the non-commissioned officer academy to further their literacy abilities as well as learn leadership skills.

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