AUP certifies Afghan trainers

News: AUP certifies Afghan trainers

Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan

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Story by Sgt. Chadwick de Bree Subscribe To This Journalist

Sgt. Chadwick de Bree

Afghan Uniformed Policemen applause after watching their peers get certified to train Afghan Local Police during a graduation ceremony, Nov. 15, in Guzarah district. Nineteen policemen and women became police trainers after completing a three week course to be certified to train Afghan Local Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Chadwick de Bree/Released)

HERAT PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Though the skies overhead turned dark and grey, this was not a somber occasion for the Afghan Uniformed Police who stood in formation with their heads held high. The darkened sky almost symbolized the dark days ahead for the Taliban.

On Nov. 15, 19 Afghan uniformed policemen and women were presented with certificates at the Regional Training Center in Herat province, signaling their certification to train Afghan Local Police in the area.

This graduation is the first time Afghans became certified to train other Afghans without the help of their coalition forces counterparts.

“The AUP approached us to set up an ALP program for the Pashtun Zargun area,” said a special operations team leader assigned to Special Operations Task Force West. “We saw this as an opportunity to establish a train-the-trainer program. The establishment of this program allows Afghans to train Afghans, thereby allowing coalition forces to take on more of an advisory capacity.”

The graduates completed a three week trainer course where they were taught marksmanship, police operations, human rights training, checkpoint operations, counter-improvised explosive device training and patrolling techniques. They also became well-versed in the Afghan penal code and constitution to train the ALP force for the region.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the RTC commander, Col. Allah Noor Mohammadi, told the AUP graduates that they have made the people of Afghanistan proud. He also said they must continue to do what is right and remain faithful to the people of Afghanistan.

Before the graduates received their certificates, Lt. Col. Larry Huggins, commander, Special Operations Task Force West, addressed the policemen.

“The Taliban fear the ALP, because they know the ALP knows their faces and who belongs and doesn’t belong,” he said. “By having you, the police, train the ALP instead of us (coalition forces), we can ensure a bright future for Afghanistan.”

“I find it fitting that it’s raining today,” Huggins continued. “I don’t think of it as water falling from the clouds, but the tears of the Taliban.”

As coalition forces prepare to withdraw combat forces from Afghanistan, Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in providing security and repelling Taliban advances.