KABUL, Afghanistan - Over the last eight days, a total of 9 Afghan Air Force Security Kandak members received flyaway security team training at the AAF base in Kabul culminating in their Oct 4, 2010 graduation.
They are assigned to the Quick Reaction Force and have received previous basic Military Police and Air Base Defense training.
This training provides the Afghan Air Force an added capability of having trained AAF security members that are solely focused on security of their Air Forces' aircraft and its crew during high threat missions, when requested by the aircraft commander, and as the mission dictates.
Their two primary responsibilities include providing security while the aircraft is on the ground and to provide security during reconnaissance flights in support of national-events such as the Kabul Conference, Peace Consultative Talks, Elections, and much more.
Three teams comprised of an NCO and two soldiers completed 75 hours of physical fitness, combined classroom, aircraft orientation and familiarization, practical evaluations, security scenarios, and a fixed/rotary wing mission for each Fly-Away Security Team.
Capt. Robert Shaw, NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan, Security Forces advisor and team lead, explained, "They were pushed physically and mentally through hands on learning and I placed a lot of emphasis on working as a team. I was impressed at how motivated they were and how quickly they learned and gelled. It was an awesome effort!"
This training helps strengthen the AAF by providing a necessary, short notice capability in support of combat missions nationwide and helps control personnel who are trying to gain unauthorized access to the aircraft. Further, their flexibility, allows them to support short duration missions and longer term overnight missions as well.
Security Force members will continue working in the QRF Company here at Kabul and support the rotary and fixed wing missions when called upon.
"My hope is that they will be called on in the near future to support the Afghan Air Forces flying missions and continue to be a reliable asset to the Afghan Air Force for years to come," Shaw said.