As the Afghan National Security Forces assumed control of security in Chaghcharan, local police requested Lithuanian-led Police Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (POMLT) to assist local police in providing protection of Chaghcharan Airfield.
On January 17 members of POMLT-3 presented to fifteen policemen of Chaghcharan the first graduation certificates of airfield protection course. Policemen were briefed on aviation security principles and subtleties of airfield protection planning. During the practical phase of the course the policemen trained organisation and conduct of physical protection and check-up of passengers at Chaghcharan Airfield.
Security at the airfield is a vital part of security environment in Chaghcharan provided by the Afghan National Security Forces. Airfield Protection conducted by the Afghan National Police is expected to gradually diminish the number of tasks of Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team operating in Chaghcharan thus enabling the unit to assign more capabilities to other tasks for ensuring security. In the future POMLT foresees organisation of more airfield protection course.
Currently the third shift of Lithuanian-led POMLT formed by Lithuanian and US staff conducts service in Ghor under the lead of LT Col Ričardas Pocius. Since the beginning of the mission in the end of 2010 POMLT has trained over 200 graduates of the basic patrol course, and 50 basic first aid course, and renders assistance to the police of Ghor in operational planning.
On the 4th of January, 2012, the town of Chaghcharan and the surrounding area were approved to joint the transfer of responsibility process in Chaghcharan. Responsibility of local security forces, i.e. ANA units and police, for the security in their country is gradually increased since then. The key role of Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT is training of the Afghan National Security Forces with a focus on instructions.
The implementation of the transfer of responsibility onto local forces before the end of 2014 was endorsed at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010 with attendance President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai. The process began in spring of 2011 is gaining pace. On 27 January 2011 President of Afghanistan announced that a part of Ghor province protected by Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT, the town of Chaghcharan and surrounding area, was approved for the second phase of the process. The rest of the province is expected to be approved in the third phase in 2012. There are expectations that the province will be ready for full transfer onto Afghan responsibility within a period of one or two years.
Article by - 1st Lt. Martynas Vilimas. Photo by - MSgt Lawrence Leissner.
