Elite Afghan soldiers complete training

  • Published
  • By Capt. Anastasia Wasem
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Fourteen Afghan air force members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Force Company graduated from Ground Combat Skills Course in a ceremony May 29 at Kabul International Airport here.

The graduation marked the completion of 50 hours of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF Company. The graduation and continued advancements made by the Afghan security forces members is vital to the force protection and security of Afghanistan as the coalition begins to draw down in the country.

"We have a saying," said Lt. Col. Shir Mohammad, an air wing security forces commander. "'The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in war.' Always remember your training and pass it on to those around you."

The team trained on numerous types of procedures including mounted and dismounted operations, military operations in urban terrain, close-quarters battle,  clearing buildings, entry-control point operations, combat lifesaver and advanced M-16 rifle utilization.

"It was truly a proud moment in my life to see these soldiers graduate and become part of the Kabul QRF team," said Master Sgt. Richard Blackstone, a security forces adviser with NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. "They are ready to fight and defend their country."

The class was created and planned by both coalition advisors from NATC-A and Afghan air force QRF veterans. The training of the class was also conducted by both Afghans and their advisers. In addition to training the new members, the main goal of the class was to train the Afghans to be trainers themselves. In the future, this will allow advisers to step back from the training process in order to enable a more sustainable security forces and QRF company as the NATO training mission begins to draw down.

"Our Afghan partners demonstrated a very effective joint training concept before and during the course," said Capt. Michael Morriss, a NATC-A security forces adviser. "There's no doubt in my mind that this will become a sustainable program and provide increased training and protection in general to the Afghan air force in the future."

The Kabul Air Wing QRF company is currently made up of more than 130 security forces members. Their mission is to act as a mobile security team on the base and have the capability to respond at a moment's notice.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newest members of the QRF company received the air wing's QRF company patch; representing the hard work and training endured in order to become a member of this advanced force.

"To the graduates of the program the patch symbolizes their dedication and the joining of a more elite group of fighters," Morriss said. "They've joined the pantheon of warriors who have roamed these mountains for a thousand years to fight for a cause they believe in."