Village defense force trains weapon safety

SHAKH, AFGHANISTAN

08.22.2011

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Garratt 

ISAF Regional Command North

SHAKH, Afghanistan – Regional Command North soldiers assigned to A Battery, 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted weapons familiarization training with local police here Aug. 22.

The patrolmen were selected by tribal elders to protect the village against attacks by insurgents.

A Battery soldiers held the training at the Acted Youth Center in the heart of Shakh. More than 50 patrolmen made their way into the recently constructed building.

The classroom soon reached capacity. Afghan patrolmen without seats found space along the walls and atop windowsills. Spc. Greg Jorgensen, a Taylor, Mich., native, now a driver with A Battery, took the lead. He spoke to the crowded room with a calm authority, raising his voice and tone to emphasize important details.

Jorgenson instructed the patrolmen to keep their weapons pointed in a safe direction at all times and to always put their weapons on safe to minimize accidental discharges.

“Even when you receive contact, your weapon should be on safe until you bring it up to shoot. Once you’ve shot, lower your weapon and return it back to safe,” he explained to the class.
Jorgensen demonstrated the proper way to clear a weapon of its ammunition.

“It’s important that you have a partner to verify your chamber is free of all ammo,” he said.

The patrolmen watched intently as Jorgensen pulled the bolt back slowly and locked it to the rear. He displayed the open chamber to his partner before turning the empty chamber toward the class.

Those sitting at the front of the room edged forward on their seats, while patrolmen in the back stood up to see the empty weapon in Jorgensen’s hands.

“I just want to make sure that these men have adequate safety training on their weapons and know how to use them properly,” he said.

The specialist told the class that accidents happen with guns every day and to never point their weapons at anything they don’t intend to shoot.

Muhammad Nabi, the local police commander, stood up and offered his thanks as the training came to an end.

“This is the first time many of my men have received training on weapons and it has been a great pleasure to receive this training from the U.S. Army. You are the technical experts here and we have a brighter future because of your help,” Nabi said.

The commander offered his hand, smiled widely and exclaimed “tashakur, tashakur,” Dari for thank you, thank you. Jorgensen removed his combat gloves and shook Nabi’s hand.

Before they returned to their base, the soldiers handed out 15 cases of water to the patrolmen and citizens of Shakh.

A Battery soldiers, now halfway through their deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, will continue to assist the local police and people of Shakh with training and humanitarian missions.

• Date Taken: 08.22.2011
• Date Posted: 09.04.2011 11:12
• Story ID: 76433
• Location: SHAKH, AF