Marine Battalion, Afghan Police Team Up + CJTF-180 Afghanistan Update

Marine Battalion, Afghan Police Team Up

Submitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - 180
Story Identification #: 200451121041
Story by Lance Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr.

SUROBI, Afghanistan (May 8, 2004) -- The Marines of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, have found a new partner in the war on terror. The battalion has joined forces with the Surobi police in both security and civil affairs operations throughout the Surobi District.

“America’s Battalion” deployed to Afghanistan late last year, and has spent the past two months operating in the Tagab Valley. The area was once home to numerous Anti-Coalition Militia members.

The Afghan Ministry of the Interior sent General Muhammad Dauod-Nadim, commander of police, to assume command of the police in the Surobi District. The 250-member-strong police force is responsible for 129 villages throughout the valley.

“Three months ago nobody followed the police. Warlords moved freely through Surobi,” Dauod said. “Before, everyone walked the streets of Surobi with guns. Now only the police are armed.”

Since establishing a close working relationship, the battalion has asked for police support during various security and humanitarian assistance missions.

“I try to always have a police officer with my Marines during operations. It’s good to show an Afghan face right alongside us,” said Lt. Col. R. Petit, battalion commander.

“The Marines and police work together to make the Surobi District a safe place,” Dauod said.

As a gesture of good faith and to better the abilities of the policemen, the battalion coordinated for the donation of two Toyota Hilux vehicles for use by the police department in a ceremony May 8.

“We noticed transportation was a problem for them, so we tried to help,” Petit said. This helps extend the reach of the law here.

The Marines had “Surobi Police” painted on the vehicles in both English and Pashtu; the main language in the area.

“This is a very happy day for us,” said Talib, commander of the Surobi Proper police. “We had no vehicles that could make it up and down the hills here. Now we have two.”

Prior to receiving the vehicles, the department only had one marked police vehicle.

“On behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and the police, thank you to the Marines for the help and support of the police station,” Dauod added.

-30-

Photos included with story:

	SUROBI, Afghanistan – Lieutenant Col. R. Petit, commanding officer, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, shakes the hands of numerous Afghanistan Ministry of the Interior officials at the Surobi police station here. The battalion coordinated funding for two refurbished Toyota Hilux police vehicles provided to the commander of police for the province May 8, effectively tripling the number of marked police vehicle the 250-person department has. Photo by: Lance Cpl. James P. Douglas

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

May 12, 2004
Release Number: 04-05-24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMBINED FORCES COMMAND AFGHANISTAN RELEASE

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 12, 2004 – Yesterday, coalition leaders were notified of an allegation of detainee abuse. Upon notification coalition forces launched an immediate investigation into this matter.

Saturday, Civil Affairs teams attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new classrooms that are being built at the Halima Khazan Girls School and the building of the Niswan School for girls, both in Gardez.

Monday, the Jalalabad PRT conducted the grand opening ceremony of the Commander’s Emergency Relief Program (CERP) sponsored orphanage in Shinwaro Loya District.

Yesterday, the Parwan PRT attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for three CERP projects in the Kohi Sofi region of Parwan Province. The specific projects are the Dandar District Office renovation, the Black Rock Pass Road repair, and the Chakara Road renovation.

The Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration process begins in Kabul shortly, with the actual process beginning in the next 2-3 weeks.

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/news_release.asp?NewsRelease=20040524.txt

The Marines of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, have found a new partner in the war on terror. The battalion has joined forces with the Surobi police in both security and civil affairs operations throughout the Surobi District.

“America’s Battalion” deployed to Afghanistan late last year, and has spent the past two months operating in the Tagab Valley. The area was once home to numerous Anti-Coalition Militia members.

The Afghan Ministry of the Interior sent General Muhammad Dauod-Nadim, commander of police, to assume command of the police in the Surobi District. The 250-member-strong police force is responsible for 129 villages throughout the valley.

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2nd Battalion 8th Marines

"America's Battalion"

General Muhammad Dauod-Nadim, commander of police, Surobi District:

Bad news for Taliban bad guys.

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