500 ANP depart Afghanistan to improve skills in Turkey

By Mass Communications Specialist 2^nd Class Cory Rose
NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, Public Affairs

Five hundred Afghan National Police (ANP) cadets boarded a plane at the Kabul International Airport Aug. 21 on their way to Turkey for a six-week advanced non-commissioned officer (NCO) training course.

“Our non-commissioned officers are closer to the soldiers and closer to the people,” said Afghan National Police Col. Abdul Gardizi. “Every leader needs a good NCO with him in order to get the mission done so I feel these men will benefit greatly from the advanced training.”

Turkey accepted the request from NATO in mid 2011 to train thousands of Afghan homeland security forces as part of a NATO stabilization campaign.

“This means a lot to Afghanistan,” said Afghan National Police cadet Sher Mohammad Ismael. “This means that our country is going to be built and that we are going to come back and serve the people.”

This six-week program will focus on intelligence, counterterrorism, security, narcotics, human rights, firearms use, building protection, close combat defense and security precautions against terrorist attacks in order to help the ANP become a better force, and further contributing to the security and stability of Afghanistan.

“I’m very happy I was chosen for this opportunity,” said Afghan National Police cadet Ahmad Ghafori. “We’re going to get the training that we need, and as policemen we’re going to come back and serve our country in the best way possible.”

NATO forces have handed over the security responsibilities of several areas across the country to Afghanistan, which is a process that will run through 2014 when Afghanistan takes over leadership of security duties from U.S. and coalition forces.

NTM-A is a coalition of 38 troop contributing nations assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com.

 

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Category: News - Afghan National Police, News - News