Air Force Special Agents Partner with Afghan National Police

By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service

Nov. 19, 2007 - Special agents assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Detachment 2405 here regularly work together with Afghan National Police on a broad range of missions related to humanitarian assistance and security. "We usually meet up with the ANP several times a week for medical engagements and humanitarian assistance drops," said Special Agent Chris Williams, detachment superintendent. A medical engagement is a mission where members of the base medical team go to local villages to help Afghans in need of medical care.

The Afghan National Police often provide additional security for the airmen involved in these kinds of missions, and also provide an example to their countrymen of the strong partnership between U.S. forces and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. That kind of example is important, officials say, as an Afghan villager may be more likely to share potentially life-saving information with a fellow Afghan, and airmen can't always be there.

Through its work with U.S. forces, the Afghan police are fostering trust and goodwill between the villages and their coalition neighbors, as well as helping to bring security and stability to the region.

"I am very thankful that your military left your beautiful country and families to come over here and risk your lives for the peace and security of Afghanistan," said a local Afghan National Police commander.

(Air Force Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco is assigned to 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)