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Story by: Master Sgt. Kimberley Harrison
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – “The most important thing, if you learn nothing else today, is do NOT pick up the device [bomb] whenever you find it.”
That was the key message delivered by Tech. Sgt. Michael Smith, 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group security forces mentor, during a vehicle search training class that took place here recently.
Three U.S. Air Force security forces members assigned to the 738th AEAG are here on a year-long deployment in order to provide training and mentoring to the security forces members of the newly designated Afghan Air Force.
“The mentoring program is a good showing of the American forces,” said Smith, deployed from the 81st Security Forces Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. “We’re showing them we’re here to help; we’re friends; we’re not someone who is going to try to rule or dictate.”
The instruction style presented to the mixed Afghan NCO's/soldiers by Smith--through an interpreter--encouraged participation and had the students showcasing what they learned in group role play exercises.
“We get a lot of new troops in and we know the [Afghan] NCO's are doing a great job,” said Smith, “but we wanted to make sure they are getting at least one refresher class from us.”
Once instruction was given and questions were answered, groups of three moved to the outside practical exercises set up by Master Sgt. Chris Edgerton, 738th AEAG security forces superintendent/mentor.
“The Afghan security forces have their own perimeter surrounding Kandahar Air Wing they are responsible for,” said Edgerton. “They’re doing a great job.”
The training the Afghan troops receive from their American counterparts could play a part in there being zero mishaps at any of the Afghan entry control points.
“There have been no incidences on the Afghan side and they’ve even stopped individuals from coming on with illegal items, such as live 40 mm rounds,” said Edgerton, deployed from the 342nd Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas.
The purpose of the training was to ensure the Afghan soldiers maintain proper search techniques and follow procedures when dealing with base entry.
“We have to make them understand the safety of this base is paramount,” said West Monroe, La., native Smith. “If you don’t practice it, you’ll lose it. It’s like firing your weapon over and over again…these exercises create muscle memory.”
The Afghan soldiers seemed to enjoy the role-play exercise where each got a turn to stop a vehicle, search the driver, inspect the vehicle for anything suspicious and how to handle the situation if something unusual is found.
“Today we learned how to search vehicles and people,” said Zamarai, Afghan Air Force security forces soldier.
Citing the best benefit he took away from the training was the safety and security procedures when searching vehicles, Zamarai was happy to be getting the training provided by the Air Force mentors.
“We’ve gotten a lot of benefit from this training…the mentors are helping a lot,” said Zamarai, “There were some things we didn’t know about, but they are teaching a different kind of technique and training here.”
The training and mentoring program has been ongoing for the past three years, but each rotation brings in something new.
“Our predecessors did great things with them and now we’re able to bring in something a little different,” said New Albany, N.Y., native Edgerton. “They spent a year with our predecessors and now it’s time to figure out who we are and get into a rhythm with us.”
Each new rotation of Air Force mentors brings a need for mutual understanding and respect between the Afghan airmen and American mentors in order for the mentoring program to be successful.
“One of the challenges for the Afghans is to get over the culture shock,” said Smith. “There’s a culture shock when we come into the military and it’s the same for them.”
One of the challenges the mentors are overcoming is the fact this is still new to the Afghans.
“Even though its [mentoring] been three years now, you can’t build a full-fledged fighting force in three years,” said Edgerton.
“They’re still in the infant stages and we’re trying to make it grow,” added Smith.
The mentors are making great strides in the training environment as they realize there is value added to the training program once it’s completely taught by the Afghan NCO's.
“We’ll provide the training to the Afghan NCO's and then observe them train their soldiers…it places a little more value to them,” said Edgerton. “It’s definitely come along to where they get more satisfaction from being trained by their NCO's.”
“We’ll make suggestions and guide them in the right direction,” added Smith. “We’re trying to get them where they can transition and take charge of their own situation where they feel comfortable and confident.”
During the three months Edgerton and Smith have been here, they’ve seen positive changes.
“The relationships we’ve built in such a short amount of time are phenomenal,” said Edgerton. “We’re able to have fun while we’re training. The opportunity to take part in this is tremendous... to be able to grow and build and help them become their own independent Air Force.”
“A lot of them are soaking it up, they want to learn,” said Smith. “They understand that they ultimately have to get this together; we’re going to help them, hold their hand and get them going along the way, but ultimately they are going to be the ones who make or break this unit.”
At the end of the exercise, both Afghan and American security forces members laughed and joked while discussing the do’s and don’ts of vehicle searches, but the students made it clear this training was important for them…for their country.
“This is my country,” said Zamarai who has been a security forces member for the entire one and a half years he’s been a part of the Afghan military. “I love my country…every day I’m alive I want to serve for my country and I hope, in the future, they will train more of our soldiers like they are training me.”
Editor’s Note: Capt. Matthew Kowalski is the lead security forces advisor for the 738th AEAG. He was out of the country and not available for interview.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2010 07:05 |
| Story ID: | 56297 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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