During a recent visit to a remote district in Kandahar province, I was able to deliver some key equipment to a coalition forces (CF) training team who distributed this equipment to support their Afghan Local Police (ALP) program. This equipment included radios, GPS and protective vests. A member of the CF training team in this district wrote to me that,

"The supplies Spirit of America provided to the district ALP will help ensure that the new ALP are properly protected as they defend their villages against Insurgent intruders. Moreover, the equipment helped create stronger ties between the people and our training team. The ALP are very proud of their new equipment, which has helped increase esprit de corps in their ranks."

ALP conducting physical training in their body armor

The ALP program builds off of a tradition of village-based defense in Afghanistan. These villagers receive training and assistance from the Government of Afghanistan and the CF training team and become part-time police officers. When they are not fulfilling their policing duties, they spend their time engaged in regular village activities such as farming.

Group photograph of the ALP recruits

Jim Misencik
Afghanistan Field Rep