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Afghan national army soldiers and Afghan border police received an introduction, familiarization and driving class on the 1151 Humvee at Forward Operating Base Curry in the Paktika Province of eastern Afghanistan, Sept. 18 and 19, from the Embedded Training Team attached to 1st Platoon, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
The class, designed by infantryman Spc. Nathan Snyder, closely resembles the basic driver's course that U.S. Soldiers participate in to receive a Humvee license.
The majority of Afghan forces currently use HiLux pick-up trucks.
The 3-509th PIR is lending the Humvees to the Afghans for missions to assist with operational security.
"The Humvees are safer," said Snyder. "They have more armor, which means more protection."
The Afghan soldiers and police are very aware of the impact the vehicles will have on their operations.
"From the armor, they save our bodies from (improvised explosive devices) and from mines. Having these, they will save us and will get us from one place to another place safely, so it is very much benefit for us," said one of the Policemen attending the course.
The Humvees are kept on FOB Curry, and will aide in further education throughout the year.
"The [ANA and ABP] soldiers are going to come over and help us with upkeep and repair. Instead of just doing it for them where they learn nothing, if they work with us they become more self-sufficient," said Staff Sgt. Wolfgang McLachlan, a team leader for the ETT who assisted with the class.
The students were attentive, and participated despite their fasting due to the observation of Ramadan.
"They seemed to respond pretty positively to the class," said Snyder. "With the driving, we only had one little scare, but that is typical for rookie drivers. With more practice, they'll do great."
Enthusiastic about their teacher, the course, and their new skills, the ABP said they were grateful for the opportunity not only to use the Humvees, but to learn about them as well.
"[Snyder] is very good, a very good teacher. We want to know about everything for our operations, how to use these," the Policemen said. "We like to come to these classes and learn much, and we are appreciative."
The ANA Soldiers participating had been through a similar course prior to their arrival at FOB Curry. The ABP however, had not dealt with Humvees previously, and Snyder and his teammates spent extra time ensuring thorough training.
"For the ANA it was definitely a refresher. For the ABP it was something new. They had a lot of questions, and I think they learned a lot," said Snyder.
Courses of this nature will continue at FOB Curry, enabling progress and self-sufficiency for the soldiers and police.
"I am really looking forward to training more guys," said Snyder.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2009 09:47 |
| Story ID: | 39133 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 439 |
| Downloads: | 346 |
This work, Humvee training provides education, safety for Afghan Forces, by PFC Andrya Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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