BCT Leadership visits Afghan Border Police

ZABUL PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.05.2011

Story by Maj. Nevin Blankenship 

116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Senior leadership from 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team met with members of the Afghan Border Police to gain a better understanding of their mission Nov. 5 near Forward Operating Base Sweeney.

The team did an aerial tour of the bases on the Pakistan border and then met with the police at their headquarters.

“Our main focus is to understand what you do,” said Lt. Col. W. Preston Scott, 116th IBCT operations officer. “We want to expand our partnership with the ABP.”

The ABP officers told the Afghan National Army in attendance that they wanted to work more with them and the coalition forces.

“We want to have a greater partnership with the ANA and the coalition forces to have better security along the border,” said an ABP officer

A majority of the discussion between the leaders centered on security but they also discussed the government and the local villagers.

“The community supports Afghan National Security Forces but with more security, more people will support us,” said an ABP officer.

“The government influence is strong with the people here and they help us find Improvised Explosive Devices.”

The ABP led the group on a tour of the base and showed them the equipment they use. The tour, and more importantly the equipment, will help Combined Team Zabul understand what equipment and forces the ABP might need to be a bigger part of the fight against the insurgents.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2011
• Date Posted: 11.13.2011 08:56
• Story ID: 79981
• Location: ZABUL PROVINCE, AF