KABUL, Afghanistan – The world is looking closely at the Afghan National Security Forces for signs that it is prepared to take over the nation’s security responsibilities. To them, the Afghan National Police’s top enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Khan, says, “There is confidence coming in the wind here. You can sense it,”
According to one, senior police official, one need look no further than the recent attack on the Kabul Airport for evidence that Afghan law enforcement professionals are ready, willing , and able to bring the enemies of Afghanistan to justice.
He told a group of senior noncommissioned officers that the stability in Afghanistan is coming along nicely and while they do not have the equipment that the NATO sponsor nations have, his police did a good job getting the Kabul Airport under control in a short period.
“Right now, you will note that we are close at getting to the enemy. They are weak,” said Khan, “and we are going to bring them out in the open. “You shall we are close to defeating them,” he said.
“Our next generation – the children who are now able to go to school and get a good education – they are the thinkers of tomorrow. They are the future for us and will be smart and good - having had the access to go to school and now been able to learn thanks to the efforts of the NATO and sponsor nations in the coalition,” Kahn said.
“While we still need help and support to offer good security to the people, and while I would say, ‘yes, we have enough things to do our jobs now.’ In the future, I am sure we could benefit from more equipment and help to fight the enemies and the criminals here,” Khan said. “We are prepared to work for our good government now. And whether in the Districts or the Provinces, I can tell you things are getting much better. We see less crime and less corruption and it inspires us.”
“Just recently, Kabul was under attack and we really did not rely on others for help. We quickly got in there and got the job done. We secured the airport and had it back open in six hours. This is an example of the progress we have made as police and it is a testimony to how we have made progress here,” he said.
“I see the day when you can come here, walk beside us on the streets here in Kabul with us and have a nice coffee together with no worries about violence or attacks. I have that vision and it’s not too far. It’s soon. The future Afghans are going to have education. They are going to be the future Afghan people. They are going to have the good education and know how to live and know how to lead for the future,” Kahn said.
“I welcome that day and as I said, there is confidence coming. It’s in the wind.”
“In the past, the Taliban was strong, but that is gone. We are excited, because despite the rumors that you are hearing in the past, now we have a good Afghan National Army. Now, we have a good Afghan National Police force,” Kahn said.
“You already now see good men in uniform – good men today in the ANA and good men in the ANP,” Kahn said. “We have a good government now. The corruption is getting under control and you can see now the beginning of the future here for us.”
“I do not have to ask how well the Afghan National Security Forces are prepared to take over the security of this country,” said International Security Assistance Force Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel. “The finest nations on earth provided military leaders – the very best military leaders available – to train the ANSF and I know that these Afghan men and women have tremendous hearts. They do not give up. The ANSF is made up of brave people ready to give up their lives in the name of freedom and to beat the enemy. I don’t question the ANSF, or fine men like Sergeant Major Kahn for a minute,” Capel said, at a meeting for senior enlisted leaders, recently.
“Afghanistan has a great man in Sergeant Major Kahn. He has been instrumental in the ANP turning things around and getting this nation the security and safety its people needs and deserves,” Capel said.