Deh-E Mogholan Atmospherics Patrol

3rd Platoon. Security patrol in the town of Deh-E Mogholan, near Combat Operating Post Baraki Barak, Logar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 6.

Cpl. Andrew Galfo

Spc. Jeffrey Hullberg


Cpl. Andrew Galfo (in front)


An Afghan National Police officer gives out cards with emergency contact information to the citizens of Deh-E Mogholan.

1st Lt. Chris Glasser

Afghan National Police Officer

1st Lt. Chris Glasser

Sgt. Elias Solano (front) and Cpl. Jarus Perez

Cpl. Michael Stimpson

CPL Perez Receive Purple Heart

U.S. Army Cpl. Jarus Perez a soldier from Sacramento, Calif., assigned to 3rd Platoon, 401st Military Police Company at Fort Hood, Texas, describes the enemy encounter during which he suffered wounds to U.S. Army Col. Bruce P. Antonia, commander of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division's Task Force Patriot, from Manchester, Conn., on Forward Operating Base Shank, Jan. 4. A few minutes later, Antonia presented a Purple Heart to Perez, who is attached to TF Patriot from Fort Polk, La. and earned the medal for wounds he suffered during an armed enemy conflict in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province, Jan. 3. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matt Meadows, Task Force Patriot)

Outside COP Sayed Abad

Outside Combat Operating Post Sayed Abad, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Sept. 6. (Photos by: Sgt. Sean P. Casey)

An Afghan boy stands outside a shop at the local bazaar.


U.S. Army Soldiers from the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Company, 2nd Platoon Punishers and Afghan National Police conduct a traffic control point.


Spc. Jeffrey Berg of the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Company, 2nd Platoon Punishers shakes hands with a local boy during a mission to inform the local populace about the upcoming September Afghan elections.


Spc. Chadd Mayle of the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Company, 2nd Platoon Punishers, stands guard during a patrol aimed at informing the citizens of Sayed Abad, Wardak province, Afghanistan about the upcoming September Afghan election.


Sgt. Mark Randolph of the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Company, 2nd Platoon Punishers informs locals of the upcoming September Afghan elections.


Sgt. Mark Randolph of the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Company, 2nd Platoon Punishers informs locals of the upcoming September Afghan elections.


Cpl. Tyler Michalewicz and Spc. Michael Stimpson of the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Compnay, 2nd Platoon Punishers gives candy to a local boy during a meet and greet mission to inform citizens of Sayed Abad, Wardak province Afghanistan about the upcoming Afghan elections.


Spc. Jonathan Stillwell helps Cpl. Tyler Michalewicz adjust his equipment during a presence patrol in the bazaar.


U.S. Army Soldier Pfc. Kevin Elrod of the 89th Military Police Brigade, 720th MP Battalion, 401st MP Company, 2nd Platoon Punishers takes a photo while conducting a friendly patrol to shake hands with and inform local citizens of the September Afghan elections.


An Afghan National Policeman stands guard during a presence patrol.


An Afghan National Policeman searches a driver at a traffic control point.

TF King Helps AUP on road to success with new Humvees

WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Task Force King has led the way by training and mentoring the Afghan forces to help Afghanistan form a strong and effective police force.

The artillerymen of TF King have bolstered the strength of Afghan police officers within Logar and Wardak provinces for the last nine months. The 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, recently gave the Afghan Uniformed Police three up-armored Humvees to help Afghan forces engage with the local population more often.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Sink, 4-319th AFAR commander, and Brig. Gen. Hagyar, Wardak provincial police chief, signed the documents releasing the tactical vehicles to the AUP.

In the past, the Afghan National Army has been the only Afghan National Security Force that was offered the additional protection of the up-armored Humvees. As police trainers and mentors, the 173d ABCT wanted to give the AUP the same protection.

According to Sink, this is just the beginning.

“In the future, as more vehicles are distributed, this will give them a greater level of protection and mobility than their current capability,” said Sink who hails from Raleigh, N.C.

Sink continued by saying, “Brig. Gen. Hagyar was assigned the position as the provincial police chief about five months ago. Since then, he has taken an active role in redefining his AUP.”

Immediately after stepping into the police chief position, Hagyar began conducting battlefield circulation in order to understand the problems, strengths and weaknesses of the district-level police.

“I see myself as Brig. Gen. Hagyar's mentor who assists him in his leadership and management of the 800-plus police officers in the province,” said Sink.

“We have gone beyond training basic tasks. We have developed Afghan Uniformed Police trainers,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Woods, the 4-319th AFAR command sergeant major and a native of Marietta, Ga. “They can now assist in training other police officers completely apart from coalition assistance. We first used a building block method of instruction that required our NCO's to teach, coach and mentor the AUP officers.”

“The most common comment is how deeply we have penetrated their social circles,” said Woods. “We have essentially doubled down on the [counterinsurgency] fight by having the Afghan Uniformed Police take charge of their development. By abandoning many Western ideals and adopting Afghan ones; we were able to draw them in close with personal relationships.”

Woods said their initial instruction methods were based on a banker’s mentality of education using a technique of deposit and withdrawal.

“Operating techniques were modelled closely to those already in use by the AUP. Building on the body of prior knowledge, AUP officers were coached through increasingly complex tasks,” Woods said.

“We implemented a core-skills agenda that would allow officers to attend courses taught by our NCO's and officers. Those core skills include basic first aid, drivers training and marksmanship training,” said Woods.

Additionally, they wanted to assist the police headquarters staff in their capabilities and functionality. Leadership, logistics and management courses were developed to assist in that.

“At the district levels, we've partnered our 401st [Military Police] and paratroopers from Alpha Battery 4-319th with the district-level police,” said Woods. “These Police Combined Action Teams conduct the day-to-day partnering and combined action with the AUP, assisting in their development.”

To add an extra boost to the training program, they also use mobile training teams in both Logar and Wardak provinces where a team of five Soldiers go into the districts to focus more on the values, ethics, rule of law, management and some advanced first aid.

The teams spend a week in the district centers assisting in the training of the Wardak AUP. They also provide an assessment of the district center and its police.

“The fact that these AUP officers are the first to operate up-armored vehicles has greatly increased their social status,” said Woods. “Their position in the Afghan community has risen as well.”

Woods said that modern COIN requires a finesse and level of precision and sophistication. “Our battalion has stepped up to that challenge and performed as warriors, as well as trainers and professional cadre for the Afghan forces.”

Since Hagyar has become chief, he has re-established discipline within the organization by focusing on simple, basic leadership skills, like wearing of the uniform, being at a place of duty, and taking responsibility for personal actions. Hagyar holds numerous battle rhythm events within his headquarters that keep the organization focused on the priorities and tasks at hand.

“These include weekly administrative, security and intelligence meetings that keep his staff informed, and allow him to give guidance on the ways ahead,” said Sink.

This training could not have occurred unless the AUP leadership bought into the program and allowed their officers to take time away from their normal routine to attend classes. The program is supported by the 4-319th AFAR and 173d ABCT Soldiers, but the AUP picked the courses they wanted taught, and it was on their timeline.

”The fact that we kept our classes full is a testament to the commitment of the Wardak Provincial Police Headquarters in getting their AUP trained to operate as a professional, capable force,” said Sink.

Story by Staff Sgt. Bruce Cobbledick

Task Force Talon paratroopers provide NCO school for ANP, ANA soldiers

Task Force Talon paratroopers provide NCO school for ANP, ANA soldiers
Combined Joint Task Force 101
Story by Staff Sgt. Bruce Cobbledick

WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Combat Outpost Sayed Abad is now home to a new non-commissioned officer school designed to deliver a train-the-trainer approach at teaching and hone the skills Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army soldiers need to be successful NCOs.

The school was designed with input from ANA, ANP and U.S. forces to give Afghan students skills and knowledge that will be instrumental in the training of their soldiers.

Members of the 401st Military Police Company teamed up with the sky soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team to offer a three to four week course that covers subjects like basic patrolling techniques, so Afghan national security force officers and non-commissioned officers can return to their units and train others.

“I will teach the things my teachers have taught me,” said ANP Sgt. Hakmut Ullah Rahimi. “At first, we were given more information about Army regulations … before [this course] I knew I was a sergeant, but that was really all I knew. After this training, I am sure, really sure, that I am a soldier, and I now know what to do in my job,”

The course was intended to help Afghan forces increase their professionalism in key areas that would bolster their effectiveness and instill teaching skills in leaders. Assassin Company 1st Sgt. Donald Harding, from Springfield, Va., played a pivotal role in the shaping of the school and maintaining its standards, as well as supervising the coalition’s cadre staff, comprised of infantrymen and military police.

But the Afghans were not the only ones who learned something.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Beauchamp from Chestertown, Md., learned that the Afghan units had various people who had specialized skills; skills that surprised Beauchamp and fellow instructor Parker. These skills, combined with the new approach to instruction, provided an environment for the Afghan students to learn from one another.

In the past, a great deal of training was focused on the ANA, so this class was intentionally balanced between the ANP and ANA. Although the Afghan soldiers and police haven’t trained side-by-side in the past, they embraced the opportunity to familiarize themselves with each other.

“It’s good that the ANP and ANA come from all over Afghanistan; it helps them bond as a team, despite from being from different tribes or villages,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Antwan Parker, who is from Chicago.

Beauchamp added that the course was successful in helping the Afghan forces realize that they had far more in common than differences between them. All of the students agreed that it was their country, and they wanted to have a better rapport with each other and the villagers they visit on patrol.

“I think the Afghans out there on patrol show a lot of ownership in what they do,” Beauchamp said.

Although the Afghan students bonded well during the course, instructors had to re-evaluate their form of instruction for optimum learning results.

“The secret to training is realizing that here in Afghanistan, nothing is done quickly. They have their own style and their own pace of how to do things, so we had to adjust our teaching style to their ways,” Parker said.

“You can buy them a boat, but it’s better to get them the supplies and let them build the boat themselves,” said Beauchamp. “We try to teach them pride of ownership and the importance of retaining and applying what is taught here.”

The Afghan forces were taught the rules of driving, and because so many Afghans had lost their friends and comrades due to vehicle accidents, they appreciated the instructions about tactical vehicles, as they operate very differently from the typical vehicles they are accustomed to.

“We did not really ever understand the rules of the highways very well, and as a result, we lost many of our dear friends – some very good soldiers who were dear to us,” said ANA Sgt. Mohammad Kahn Mashowni.

Realizing the lack of hands-on teaching in the past, the instructors focused tangible training as much as possible with each student.

“These ANA and ANP fighters received most of their training in classrooms initially. They did not get a lot of hands-on training, so we got them outside, and we tried to make the instruction as dynamic for them as possible,” Beauchamp said.

Parker said there were a lot of practical lessons throughout the course, but especially regarding the safe operation of vehicles.

“The roads here are tricky. They are often on steep inclines, very narrow and can be very dangerous, so handling tactical vehicles under the tough conditions here is very challenging,” Parker said.

The students were grateful for the training and enjoyed the quality time they had with their American counterparts. Harding invested a great deal of time in developing the course and said he remains convinced that the training coalition forces provide today will help Afghan military and police leaders train tomorrow’s forces.

“I am very appreciative of what we have been given and all the help we have received,” said Mashowni. “We got great benefit from this class.”

Information Operations Class

A Human Terrain Specialist gives a brief class on Forward Operating Base Shank to U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the 401st Military Police Company on the history of the Afghan culture July 10, Logar province, Afghanistan. The class is given to inform soldiers on all the aspects of information operations.


U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Sink speaks to a group of Soldier in a class on how to use information operations to their advantage at Forward Operating Base Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan, July 10. Sink is assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.


U.S. Army Maj. Matthew Yandura speaks to Soldiers about how information operations can be useful in the field at Forward Operating Base Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan, July 10. Yandura is assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.


U.S. Army Capt. Kinsella gives a class on information operations at Forward Operating Base Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan, July 10. Kinsella is assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

Udkheyl Dismounted Patrol

A young girl carrying water from a well along with her brother travel through the village of Udkheyl, July 7, 2010, Logar Province, Afghanistan. U.S. Army Soldier's travel's dismounted through the village to conduct security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


An Afghan National Policeman spread's out AK-47 ammunition along with a single mortar that was found after search a near by storage room in the village of Udkheyl, July 7, 2010, Loagr province, Afghanistan. Joint patrols are conducted in the area to conduct security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


An elder of Udkheyl takes part in a key leader engagement with platoon leader of the 401st Military Police Company, June 7, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Key leader engagements are used to get to know the people in the village and to gather useful information. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


U.S. Army Cpl. Robert Graves from Asheboro, N.C., takes a knee to conduct security as the 401st Military Police travel dismounted through the village Udkheyl, July 7, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Graves is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


An Afghan National Policeman talks to elders of Udkheyl about the purpose for the presence of ANP and U.S. Army forces in the village, July 7, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Key leader engagements are used to get important information and to also build a relationship with the people of the village. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


U.S. Army Spc. Mathew Moore from Algonac, Mich., pulls security as platoon leader's conduct a key leader engagement in the village of Udkheyl, July 7, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Moore is assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

Alowsi Dismounted Patrol

An Afghan National Policeman holding a rocket propelled grenade launcher travels dismounted through the village of Alowsi, July 6, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Joint patrols are done to conduct security checks and key leader engagements. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


An Afghan National Policeman, holding a rocket propelled grenade launcher, travels dismounted through the village of Alowsi, July 6, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Joint patrol's are done to conduct security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

U.S. Army Cpl. Robert Graves from Asheboro, N.C., takes a knee to conduct radio maintenance as the 401st Military police travel dismounted through the village Alowsi, July 6, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Graves is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

U.S. Army Pfc. Jacob Graham from Beardstown, Ill., conducts security as the 40st Military Police travel dismounted through the village of Alowsi, July 6, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Graham is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

U.S. Army Cpl. Robert Graves from Asheboro, N.C., conducts security in a wheat field in the village of Alowsi as the 401st Military Police travel dismounted through the village. Graves is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

An elder of Alowsi takes part in a key leader engagement, June 6, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Key leader engagements are used to get to know the people in the village and to gather useful information. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

Padkuhabe Shenah Dismounted Patrol

A young girl carrying tomatoes from the market, along with her brother, walks through the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. U.S. Army soldiers travel dismounted through the village to conduct security checks and to check on the well being of the people. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Baldwin from Virginia Beach, Va. jumps over a qulat wall in the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh, July 5, 2010, Logar Province, Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Baldwin is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


U.S. Army soldiers travel dismounted through the village of Padkuhabe Shenah, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. The village is patrolled to conduct key leader engagements and security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


A young boy along with his sister wash a rug in a creek as U.S. Army Soldiers conduct a dismounted patrol through the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanstan. The 401st Military Police visit the village to conduct key leader engagements. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


U.S. Army Cpl. Louie Castillo from Santa Ana, Calif., conducts security as the 401st Military Police prepare to travel dismounted to the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Castillo is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


Young boy's take part in a photo with friends in the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Dismounted patrols are frequently led through the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh to conduct security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/ Released)


U.S. Army soldiers travel dismounted through the village of Padkuhabe Shenah, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. The village is patrolled to conduct key leader engagements and security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Baldwin from Virginia Beach, Va., talks with an elder in Padkuhabe Shaneh about the conditions of the village and recent activity in the area, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Baldwin is assigned to the 401st MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

A young boy washes a prayer rug in a creek in the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh, July 5, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Dismounted patrols are frequently lead through the village of Padkuhabe Shaneh to conduct security checks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/ Released)

Pole-Elam District Meeting

Col. Ghulam Charkhy of the Afghan National Police takes part in a meeting with the 401st Military Police at the Prevention Headquarters in Pole-Elam District, July 4, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. A meeting held to talk about the progress of the National Afghan National policemen in various area's of training.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Baldwin from Virginia Beach, Va., prepares to take part in a meeting with Col. Ghulam Charkhy of the Afghan National Police at the Prevention Headquarters in Pole-Elam District, July 4, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. Baldwin is assigned to the 401st Military police Company, 720th MP battalion, 89th MP Brigade.

Mike Gooding, a contracted police trainer for Dyn Corp, attached to the 401st Military Police Company, takes part in folding an American flag at the Pole-Elam District Center, July 4, 2010, Logar province, Afghanistan. The Pole-Elam District Center is one of the primary locations where training is held by U.S. Army soldiers for Afghan National Policemen. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley/Released)

Shaghasi Kala Patrol

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade travel dismounted through the village of Shaghasi Kala, June 30, Logar province, Afghanistan. Shaghasi Kala is frequently patrolled to conduct key leader engagement's.