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FORWARD OPERATING BASE WALTON, Afghanistan – Soldiers assigned to 319th Military Intelligence Battalion, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, partner with and mentor Afghan customs police at the Kandahar Inland Customs Depot and Forward Operating Base Walton.
“We are responsible for every aspect of improving the KICD,” said Maj. John Ruckauf, operations officer, 319th MI Bn.—everything from training the customs police to improving their processes, which will generate more money for the Afghan people.”
The KICD, located at a crossroads between Highway 4 and Highway 1 plays a major role in generating revenue for the Islamic Government of Afghanistan.
Ruckauf said last year the KICD generated more than $57 million in revenue, which will be used to improve the lives of the Afghan people. It will pay for schools, road improvement projects, hospitals and security services in Kandahar province.
“If [coalition forces] can help further develop the KICD it will be an enduring effect,” Ruckauf added. “We have a plan in place that will extend for several years, which ultimately includes an end state to transition and leave full responsibility to the Afghans.”
The soldiers have developed a good working relationship with Afghan customs police, which has led to the completion of several major projects within the depot. These projects have strengthened force protection and enhanced the quality of life for more than 4,000 people that pass through the KICD on a daily basis.
One of the most significant completed projects is the installment of bathrooms in the customs yard. The new bathrooms improved health and sanitations conditions, said Ruckauf. The soldiers have also helped to put in an electric weigh station, several inspection warehouses, offices, truck routes into the depot and the refurbishment of a mosque.
Soldiers with 319th MI Bn. and long range surveillance soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th BfSB, share their expertise with the ACP on a daily basis.
“We started weapons familiarization training for the ACP in April,” said Ruckauf. “We have done several training sessions at our ranges as well as first aid training.”
Ruckauf added maintaining this relationship and mentorship is crucial, because it is the only training the ACP will receive after their basic training.
He said the ACP was established jointly by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance. The MOI equips, employs and pays the ACP, and the MOF determines their scope of duties.
The two ministries often believe the other is providing guidance and support to the ACP, which causes some of their professional training to fall through. However, the solders have been able to step in and fill that void through their partnership.
“The things we are doing here at the KICD are enduring; they will stay here - the partnerships that we have,” said Ruckauf.
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2011 22:01 |
| Story ID: | 71957 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE WALTON, AF |
| Web Views: | 339 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 319th MI Bn. continues progress at Kandahar inland customs depot, by SSgt Jessica Lockoski, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
