Afghan police recruits learn room-clearing tactics

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

08.17.2010

Story by Cpl. Brian Gabriel Jr. 

Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Afghan National Police recruits added an essential tool to their skill set that will enable them to suppress Taliban threats in their home districts.

Marine instructors at the Joint Security Academy Southwest gave the latest class of ANP recruits a basic course on military operations on urban terrain, or MOUT, here Aug. 18. The instructors focused on room clearing techniques, one of the many aspects that compose the Marine Corps doctrine on urban warfare.

Cpl. Tyler M. Rousselle, a JSAS instructor, describes room clearing to his students as the process of entering a building with a potential enemy inside and eliminating the threat as quickly and safely as possible.

“We did basic MOUT training with the recruits to get them a basic familiarization with what they would have to do in a situation where they would have to take down a house,” Rousselle said.

Although much of Helmand province is rural terrain, many ANP recruits may find themselves in hostile, urban environments which call for close-quarters combat techniques. Some Taliban fighters lurk in the bazaars and towns where these policemen will soon be patrolling.

As stated in the Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-35.3, the security these ANP recruits will provide to their districts is essential for defeating the insurgency. Ensuring the safety of the local community is especially important to the counterterrorism tactics they are currently learning.

Recruit Allawodin, a JSAS student, believes that keeping the local population on the same side as the ANP is especially important to good security. Allawodin knows this first hand, as a resident of Marjah, a city with a need for a reliable and capable police force

Policemen should use room-clearing techniques only when absolutely necessary, Allawodin said.

“When we want to search a compound, first we must obtain permission from the neighbors and locals,” Allawodin said. “We must respect the peoples’ religion and culture and explain to them that we got a report regarding this compound. When we get permission to search the compound, we will do so.”

Maintaining the loyalty and trust of his local community is not only a pillar of counterterrorism tactics, but also the reason why Allawodin joined the police force.

“I joined the police force because there was war in our country for 30 years and we are tired of war,” Allawodin said. “I want to serve my country and help my people with security. We are ready to go to our districts and serve our people and gain their confidence.”

• Date Taken: 08.17.2010
• Date Posted: 08.19.2010 12:05
• Story ID: 54836
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF