RAF host meeting between Afghan Colonel and locals
14 Dec 09
Part of a multi-national partnership with forces from the United States, the UK, Afghanistan, Denmark and Bahrain, personnel from the RAF Regiment are playing a key role providing security to troops based in Camp Bastion.
A 'shura' was held to introduce Colonel Rauof, the commander of the Afghan National Army's local garrison, to local elders
[Picture: Cpl Laura Bibby, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The RAF Regiment, with support from the RAF Police, shares the responsibility for providing force protection in the Camp Bastion area with the US Marine Corps.
The force protection involves patrolling the area around the camp to secure the air and land lines of communication.
Essential to this is gaining the co-operation of the local community as well as establishing the Afghan National Army as a force in the area, and recently the RAF Regiment provided security for a meeting between Colonel Rauof, the commander of the Afghan National Army's local garrison, and elders from the area's local communities.
A solitary tent surrounded by acres of empty desert was the venue for the 'shura' or council meeting. The Colonel, as an Afghan and a Muslim, will play a leading role as the first point of contact for the local population. His soldiers are being mentored and trained by a team led by the Danish military.
Security for an event of this nature is comprehensive and multi-layered. Invitations are only issued on the day of the shura, when all security measures are complete, and the guests are screened before they are allowed access to the meeting site.
Wing Commander Mick Smeath, Officer Commanding No 1 Force Protection Wing, commenting on the forces involved, said:
"We've got the RAF Regiment, currently 34 Squadron. We've got the RAF Police who are absolutely critical because they provide a number of bespoke capabilities, then we have all the intelligence feeds and a few other discrete capabilities. It's a pretty complex operation just from a Royal Air Force perspective, let alone when you add the US Marines and the Afghan National Army as well."
No 1 Force Protection Wing provided security for the shura
[Picture: Cpl Laura Bibby, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Colonel Rauof and his coalition allies arrived at the shura in a convoy of armoured vehicles. Weapons, helmets and body armour were left outside the tent as a measure of confidence.
More than 50 elders were present to hear his message, and during a lively exchange the elders expressed their concerns about schools, mosques and fuel supplies.
The Colonel reassured them that he and his allies could help with these things and community projects such as the installation of wells but the elders must also play their part in making the area safe:
"Help us and we will help you."
There were undoubtedly members of the local Taliban in the audience and the Colonel urged them to join the process of reconciliation and help to rebuild the country rather than destroy it. He said:
"We are Afghans, we are Muslims. ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] are not like the Russians. When we are ready, they will leave. Join the Army," he smiled, "and we will give you trucks like these."
This joke provoked much laughter.
The shuras are just one facet of the multi-national team's work to establish security by using a method of communication traditional to the local communities; they hope to build on the progress they've made in mentoring and training the Afghan National Army.