Elite AAF soldiers complete training

The newest members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Company proudly showoff completion certificates at a ceremony May 29, 2013 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Fourteen AAF members of the KAW QRF Company graduated from a 50-hour Ground Combat Skills Course. The graduation marked the completion of advanced upgrade training for the members of the QRF Company. The team trained on numerous types of procedures including mounted and dismounted operations, military operations in urban terrain, close quarters battle, building clearing, entry control point operations, combat lifesaver and advanced M-16 utilization. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chris McAleer)

Elite AAF soldiers complete training

Published June 1, 2013
By Capt. Anastasia Wasem
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- 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, Afghanistan.

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 AAF 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, KAW Security Forces Kandak 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, building clearing, entry control point operations, combat lifesaver and advanced M-16 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, NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan security forces advisor. "They are ready to fight and defend their country."

The class was created and planned by both coalition advisors from NATC-A and AAF QRF veterans. The training of the class was also conducted by both Afghans and their advisors. 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 advisors to step back from the training process in order to enable a more sustainable security forces kandak 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, NATC-A security forces advisor. "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 anywhere at a moment's notice

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newest members of the QRF company received the KAW 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," said Morriss. "They've joined the pantheon of warriors who have roamed these mountains for a thousand years to fight for a cause they believe in."