Afghan police partner with Airmen to help villagers

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

11.17.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Andriacco 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –The Afghan National Police have worked to better their country with the help of some Airmen.

ANP and Air Force Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Detachment 2405 special agents regularly partner together on a broad range of missions related to humanitarian assistance and security.

"We usually meet up with the ANP several times a week for medical engagements and humanitarian assistance drops," said Special Agent Chris Williams, EDET 2405 superintendent.

A medical engagement is a mission where members of the base medical team go to local villages to provide assistance to Afghans in need of medical care.

The ANP often provides additional security for the Airmen involved in these kinds of missions, and also provide an example to their fellow countrymen of the strong partnership between U.S. forces and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

That kind of example is important as an Afghan villager may be more likely to share potentially life-saving information with a fellow countryman – and Airmen can't always be there.

"We have a great working relationship," Williams said. "[The ANP] are our eyes and ears for things going on outside [Bagram]."

Through its work with U.S. forces, the ANP is fostering trust and goodwill between the villages and their Coalition neighbors, as well as helping to bring security and stability to the region.

"I am very thankful that your military left your beautiful country and families to come over here and risk your lives for the peace and security of Afghanistan," said a local ANP commander.

• Date Taken: 11.17.2007
• Date Posted: 11.19.2007 16:14
• Story ID: 14048
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF