U.S. Army police mentor team, provides aid, training to Afghan National Police

LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.11.2009

Story by Sgt. Matthew Thompson 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — "Stop the bright-red bleeding," instructed a Soldier from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division.

Placing a tourniquet around an Afghan national police officer's upper arm, the Soldier from HHC's Police Mentor Team, 3rd BSTB, was able to quickly stopped the bleeding.

The officer's life was not in danger though; this was a part of the first-aid training the ANP at Baraki Rajan received, Oct. 1.

"My main focus was to control bleeding, stop the bleeding and other basic first-aid techniques," said U.S. Army Lopez Sylvia Lopez, a medic with the unit.

For Lopez, this was the first time she had trained with the Afghans, and her initial concerns were quickly erased when she noticed their proficiency.

"I expected to walk them through each step and actually show them what I'm talking about," the Los Angeles, native added. "They surprised me with how knowledgeable they were."

The lesson progressed from the simple self-aid to buddy-aid as the ANP learned how to splint broken bones and how to transport a casualty.

According to Spc. Elijah Rodriguez, a military police officer with HHC, 3rd BSTB, the PMT's main role is to train the ANP on police tactics, administrative maintenance and accountability of themselves and their equipment.

"We have to help teach them to be cops," said Rodriguez. "We're training them to be police, but at the same time we're also training them to be Soldiers."

Rodriguez like other Soldiers relies on past experiences to enhance the training he and his team give to the ANP.

"They need this help, because they are in a combat environment and they are also trying to protect themselves," said Rodriguez.

According to Spc. Desmond Vaughn, a military police officer with HHC, 3rd BSTB, the Afghan's mentality when it comes to training is no different than a new Soldier.

"We have to go over the training every other day so they can grasp it," Vaughn said. "We're continually going over explanation, demonstration and practice phases for training."

As with most training missions conducted by the U.S. Army, these Soldiers push the Afghans to take the reins and run their country.

"Further and further we're going to try to back off," Vaughn added. "The whole purpose for our training is for them to be able to do their job by themselves."

While at the ANP station on top of the hill overlooking Baraki Rajan, the PMT also helped with inventorying equipment, updating the roster of available ANP officers and ensuring the officers were registered in the Army's database.

"I think now they're beginning to see that we're trying to build a foundation for them," said 2nd Lt. Gregory Avant, the PMT platoon leader. "It's a slow process, but it is going to change."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2009
• Date Posted: 10.11.2009 22:13
• Story ID: 39958
• Location: LOGAR PROVINCE, AF