PMT, 82nd combine efforts to mentor ANP

AFGHANISTAN

11.29.2007

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Marine Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.
Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs

KHOWST, Afghanistan – Afghan national police mentors and 82nd Airborne Division soldiers are making their presence felt by combining efforts to train the ANP in western Khowst province.

Mentors assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan don't share the same mission as 82nd Airborne Div. soldiers, but they are tasked to support the same part of the country. They sometimes support each other, and since they often share living quarters, they make the most of their combined efforts.

The 82nd Airborne Div. soldiers, Anti-tank Platoon 4, Company D, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, are housed at the Shamal District Center in Khowst province. The platoon is charged with providing security in several districts throughout the province, as well as for the police mentor team that mentors ANP in six districts throughout western Khowst. The AT-4 platoon has been assigned to the area since mid-October.

Army Capt. Francisco J. Miranda, a native of Puerto Rico, was recently reassigned from mentoring at the provincial level to lead a PMT at the district level.

Having soldiers new to the area, however, does not mean the mentors and AT-4 soldiers are starting from scratch. Most of Miranda's team, which refers to itself as the "West Khowst Coppers," has been working there for several months.

Sgt. 1st Class Willie Royal, a native of Clinton, N.C., and a police mentor, said there is already a strong relationship and a lot of trust between the ANP and PMT. Royal said his team realized early that establishing trust was a priority, and they have done so.

The PMT has helped the ANP progress from military responses toward police needs, said Royal.

His team has accompanied ANP on several patrols and has even had to respond to an ambush. Royal said the ANP reacted well to the attack. His team's resources, like night vision goggles, showed the ANP how they can help each other.

During his initial visit to the Shamal District police, Miranda's team introduced him to Shamal District Police Chief Maj. Badshah Wazir.

With issues such as establishing permanent buildings and dealing with a shortage of uniforms for his men, Wazir said there is a lot of work to be done.

That, according to Miranda, is where he intends to use his experience from the past several months at the provincial level. He said he plans to implement all the positive things he learned, and get them to use the logistics system, as it is intended.

The AT-4 platoon meanwhile provides security back-up for the PMT and carries out other missions as assigned, such as searching for Taliban and other anti-government insurgents in various locales.

During a recent mission, the AT-4 soldiers traveled through a dry water-bed to the Spera District Center where they met with sub-governor Hussain Jon "Shirzai" Azathan. The AT-4 platoon commander, 2nd Lt. Marc D. Laighton, from Erda, Utah, discussed construction projects with Azathan.

Laighton and Azathan discussed the status of ongoing projects that coalition forces are having built, as well as other projects that have been requested. They worked out requirements to ensure the construction projects would best serve district residents.

Laighton also used the opportunity to ask if there was any reported word about Taliban traveling through the area. He was told it had been about a month since anyone in the area reported seeing any.

After the meeting, the AT-4 medic soldier, Pfc. Thad A. Fuller, from Tulsa, Okla., taught a first aid class to the ANP. That same afternoon the AT-4 soldiers helped the ANP search compounds in Spera Village.

Most of the AT-4 soldiers provided security as Laighton and the ANP conducted the searches. After completing the mission, the AT-4 soldiers left the villagers smiling by distributing humanitarian assistance items, such as clothes, shoes and school supplies.

The coalition forces' presence continued in Spera District the next day as the West Khowst Coppers PMT paid a visit to the district center, showing how the 82nd Airborne and PMT soldiers' missions support each other and extend coalition support for the area.

• Date Taken: 11.29.2007
• Date Posted: 11.29.2007 15:31
• Story ID: 14292
• Location: AF