Airmen enable Iraqi police training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Ridder
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MOSUL, Iraq (AFPN) --  In a small outpost in the Iraqi city of Mosul, about 50 Airmen provide a safe, secure and professional environment at the Mosul Public Service Academy to enable the training of an effective and professional Iraqi police force. 

The Airmen at the MPSA have the chance to interact with the students who will become one of the stabilizing forces in Iraq. 

"These Airmen will be able to tell their children and grandchildren that they had a part in training the police force responsible for securing Iraq," said Chief Master Sgt. Layton Clark, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, during a recent visit to the academy. 

There are challenges the Airmen have to deal with on a daily basis, but these often provide an opportunity for them to expand their horizons and learn from their students. 

"Policing in Iraq is much different than it is in the United States," Maj. Jeffrey Prindle said. "There are a lot of tactics, techniques and procedures that we utilize in the United States that are not applicable in police operations in the Iraq." 

In order to become more effective instructors the Airmen first had to learn from their students and counterparts on the Iraqi police training staff. They acquired valuable lessons on Iraqi culture and history, as well as tactics and practices of the insurgents. 

The Airmen live in a compound isolated from other American installations and they make the best of their living arrangements. A large portion of their off-duty time is spent looking for ways to improve their living standards. 

"They have built recreation areas, acquired books, games and movies," Major Prindle said. "They also spend time working out in the gym, playing cards, dominos and horseshoes." 

The Airmen also spend time using their limited connections to the outside world to call and e-mail friends, family and home stations.