Petty Officer 1st Class David Votroubek
Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan
MAIMANEH, Afghanistan – The Afghan national police are definitely in the fight for Afghanistan's security. If anyone doubted their ability to work beside the Afghan national army, then they didn't see the Afghan national security forces during the recent operation in Faryab and Badghis provinces.
The ANP had three key roles during Operation Shaheen Sahara: help identify insurgents, secure the roads and assist the army with arrests by taking custody of the detainees. Their observation posts along Highway One also kept insurgents from escaping to the north.
Their role wasn't limited to just security, however. Not only did police discover and disarm at least one improvised explosive device, they also helped conduct raids that captured at least 24 insurgents during the operation. Several ANP officers also distinguished themselves during combat actions.
During an insurgent ambush against the ANSF, police mentor U.S. Army Sgt. Bill Westberg conducted a house-clearing maneuver with an ANP officer. Westberg who is a special weapons and tactics sheriff's deputy in Charleston, S.C., was impressed by the officer's performance.
"I'm very particular about who I enter buildings with," Westberg said. "He was phenomenal."
Even the border police got involved by volunteering to seal the border while the ANA and coalition forces fought the insurgents. Their taking advantage of having other forces available was "brilliant," according to Army Lt. Col. Ward Marshall of Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-North.
"Unity of effort is definitely a combat multiplier," he added.
The last phase of Shaheen Sahara brought extra challenges for the police, according to the deputy commander of northern police forces, Maj. Gen. Mohamad Belal Nayram. Police don't normally deploy away from home, or have logistical support like the army does. Some of them came to Faryab from as far away as Mazar-e-Sharif, and were out for more than 45 days.
Along with the growing ability of the ANP, Nayram sees that the Afghan population's trust in the ANP is also growing. Having led Mujahidin forces against the Russians two decades ago, he understands insurgency well and believes the insurgents in the north enjoy much less support by Afghans than the Mujahidin did.
"They know that the police are sons of Afghanistan," he explained.
Operation Shaheen Sahara showed ARSIC-North's commanding officer, Army Col. Edward Daly, how well the ANP and ANA can work together.
"This is the first time we saw the ANP and ANA do what they were supposed to do; the ANA secured and the ANP searched," he said.
As the operation ended, it was up to the ANP to maintain security after the coalition and ANA forces withdrew. This shows the policemen their future. As the fight for Afghanistan's security continues, their efforts will eventually shift from fighting for peace to keeping it.
"Maintaining the rule of law after the forces leave is how we'll measure success here," concluded Marshall.
| Date Taken: |
11.12.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
11.12.2007 19:10 |
| Story ID: |
13857 |
| Location: |
AF |
| Web Views: |
123 |
| Downloads: |
92 |
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