AUP, Coalition Forces partner to keep Kandahar safe

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

10.17.2011

Story by Spc. April York 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Afghan Police Sub Station commanders in Kandahar City met with their Coalition Forces partners at Camp Nathan Smith, Oct. 17 to discuss security and operations throughout the city.

The meeting was hosted by leadership from 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. It is not a one-time occurrence, but happens every two weeks.

“It’s a sharing of ideas and intelligence and a synchronization between the two,” said Maj. Jerome Barbour, squadron operations officer. “Any meeting where there is partnered participation is good.”

During the meeting, information is shared between the Afghan Uniformed Police and their Coalition Forces partners in regards to missions past, present and future. They address issues with security and put their heads together to find solutions that can improve future missions.

“They have a perspective we don’t have and they have an understanding of their area that we will never have,” Barbour said.

“We provide them with assets they do not have access to, and they provide us with the knowledge of the area, which allows us to coordinate efforts and accomplish the mission.”

Aside from operations, the group discusses opportunities to make the AUP more professional. Literacy classes are made available at all PSSs to ensure police can read and write at a third-grade level or better. Winterization is also a hot topic to make sure that before the winter months roll-in each AUP officer is ready to conduct missions in the cold.

“Overall the meeting was a success,” Barbour said. “We discussed the way ahead and the AUP took responsibility for their areas.”

• Date Taken: 10.17.2011
• Date Posted: 10.17.2011 10:41
• Story ID: 78608
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF