Courtesy Photo | Capt. Shahnur Ahsan, an infantry officer with the Bangladesh army, stands outside a...... read more read more
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By Lt. Theresa Donnelly
Pacific Command Public Affairs
PANCHKHAL, Nepal - A Bangladesh army infantry officer said he is grateful for the opportunity to train on peacekeeping operations during Exercise Shanti Prayas-2.
"I think this is really nice working with all the people here. Earlier I did not have much experience working on United Nations missions, but after coming here and working with the other countries, I have found the exercise a really fruitful experience," said Capt. Shahnur Ahsan, who is acting as the platoon guide and quartermaster for his battalion at the field training exercise.
The Nepal-hosted and U.S.-sponsored exercise, running from March 25 to April 7, brings together facilitators and humanitarian experts from the U.S. Pacific Command supported Global Peace Operations Initiative to build capacity and interoperability for the 23 participating countries’ military participants.
The goal of the training is to build a team of qualified international trainers that can then go back to their host nations and teach others the skills gained during the exercise.
"If troops did not receive this training, then after going to a peacekeeping mission it would be really difficult for them to fulfill the mandate,” said Ahsan. “So it is better to train them here, so they can go back to their country and then train others."
Although Ahsan hasn't been slated for a peacekeeping mission just yet, he's likely to be selected for one later this year. According to the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Bangladesh is the largest contributor of forces to U.N. peacekeeping missions in some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts.
"Becoming a peacekeeper is a really a huge opportunity for me, as I really love to serve," said Ahsan.
The opportunity to train at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center gives participants realistic peacekeeping training by using scripted events with role players that act out common circumstances a peacekeeper encounters while serving on UN missions.
The tasks they practice are how to properly conduct a cordon and search of an area, establish and run a checkpoint, conduct convoy and patrol operations, set up and safeguard a U.N. designated site, and how to properly support a humanitarian aid distribution point. Using U.N. standards for peacekeeping, participants are tested on objectives that reinforce cultural sensitivity, rules of engagement, respect for human rights,and the protection of civilians.
Ahsan said that working with the role players has been an essential part of the learning process.
"Before coming here, I had a little concept of peacekeeping, but it was all from books. Now I am getting some real experience - some practical experience. That is really going to help me," he said.
Ahsan said that although he's enjoyed many parts of the exercise, what stands out most is the opportunity to meet so many soldiers and share their experiences working in peacekeeping missions.
Although most of time, the participants are working long days in the warm temperatures of the Panchkhal Valley, they are taking the time to enjoy the exercise and their time here with people from other countries with different cultures.
"You get to come across so many people here and then we can see the role players and how they react so differently. Sometimes they even made us food. That has made things really fun," Ahsan said.
Ahsan understands the importance of this training and says it's imperative for successful peacekeeping operations. He also said he is thankful for the chance to participate.
"I think what GPOI and Nepal are doing will really enhance the vision of the troops. As a representative of my country, I really appreciate being here," he said.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2013 03:15 |
| Story ID: | 104988 |
| Location: | PANCHKHAL, NP |
| Web Views: | 4,708 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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