ABP sets up traffic control point in eastern Khowst

AFGHANISTAN

12.10.2007

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Marine Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.
Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Coalition mentors recently guided the Afghan border police in Khowst to make notable improvements at a border control point by improvising.

There were no written plans, just some shared ideas. But the mentors helped the ABP create an effective traffic control point in less than two days. The creative process involved makeshift walls, impromptu help from a local tractor owner and some old-fashioned elbow grease.

The ABP mentor team arrived mid-morning at an eastern Khowst province border control point, about 3 miles from the Pakistan border. The border control point facility rests on the top of a hill, a few hundred meters above the border crossing road. Their assigned mission from team leader Army Capt. John T. Boyd, of Cranford, N.J., was to "Supervise (traffic control point) improvements. We're all going to do that."

"If we can get this route down, then we know we can go out and check the other five routes," said Boyd. He explained that the ABP and mentors need to be available to randomly check vehicles that cross the border through other routes, such as wadis or valleys without roads.

It is important to have the main route secure first.

After arriving at the border control point, Boyd and his team met with the ABP company executive officer, 1st Lt. Saleh Khan, and the acting non-commissioned officer, Mohammad Ayoub Khan (no relation). They discussed and agreed on goals for the weekend.

Army Master Sgt. Jeffrey P. Lowe, a mentor and the senior enlisted soldier with the team, reminded his team that as mentors, they need to teach the leaders to lead. "We have to try to make them get their soldiers to do (their work)."

After lunch most of the team joined the available ABP down the hill and on the road. There was already a point on the road marked by signs, concertina wire and Hescos (large wire mesh baskets lined with fabric and filled with dirt). However, the team leader recognized a need for improvements.

The setup needed to be better prepared to handle traffic. Boyd told his team the signs needed to be out further, warning traffic to be prepared to stop. He also said there needed to be an area where vehicles could be directed for searches to keep from holding up traffic as it approached. This would create a traffic control point that really keeps the ABP in control of the crossing.

With the executive officer and NCO in agreement, Boyd disbursed his team to work with the ABP to accomplish the tasks at hand.

Because the group of ABP was only about ten men, Boyd and his men worked side-by-side with them, shoveling dirt, setting up Hesco barriers and mentoring the men responsible for checking vehicles.

The ABP was getting a better understanding of thorough vehicle checks. As a team, the ABP
and their mentors created an effective traffic control point. The mentor leaders continuously conveyed to the ABP leaders the significance of them motivating their men to work hard – for their own benefit.

At one point the NCO stopped a tractor crossing the border road and hired his help in leveling the ground and moving dirt. With his assistance and the men's efforts the next morning, the traffic control point was completely remodeled before noon the next day.

Though the mentors did at times admit to dealing with frustrations, they were pleased at the results.

"It's only been 10 months of them being in a unit here at (this border control point)," Lowe said, reminding his team they needed to show some patience.

The patience and hard work paid off, as they accomplished their mission. The border control point is in better condition, and the ABP is better prepared for various border traffic situations.

• Date Taken: 12.10.2007
• Date Posted: 12.10.2007 08:35
• Story ID: 14548
• Location: AF