PRESS RELEASE | Nov. 2, 2010
Afghans assume majority of responsibility for second detainee housing unit at DFIP
By Sgt. Jason Boyd , Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (November 2, 2010) —Afghan National Army Soldiers assumed the majority of responsibility for operating a second detainee housing unit at the Detention Facility in Parwan Nov. 1, reaching another critical milestone toward the transfer of DFIP operations to the Afghan government.

“I feel that all of my Soldiers have been well trained and that we can maintain the high standards set forth by our U.S. counterparts,” said Afghan National Army Capt. Ahmed Jawed, detainee housing unit officer in charge. “I spent five years working in Pol-e-Charki and all of the training I have received since arriving here has helped me make the best of this excellent opportunity.”

Afghan National Army Soldiers and their U.S. counterparts spoke very highly of each other. Each acknowledged their appreciation for the extensive training and essential experience the ANA received from their U.S. counterparts.

“I am very happy with the education that I received here, and I am ready to perform my daily tasks thanks to the training my U.S. partners have given me,” said Aqual Ahmed, an ANA Soldier.

The Afghans completed their training and were eager to assume responsibility for operations, said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class John Freeman, Navy Military Police Battalion-Afghanistan Task Group Trident guard force member. He added they have the benefit of knowing the detainees’ language, which helps with their transition efforts.

The 96th Military Police Battalion, Task Force Spartan, trains the Afghan Soldiers in detention operations and provides linguists to overcome language barriers between U.S. and ANA Soldiers and the detainees.

The 46th Military Police Command, Task Force Peacekeeper, a subordinate CJIATF-435 command, oversees all detention operations at the DFIP. The task force ensures the safe and humane custody, control and care of detained persons in the Detention Facility in Parwan. Their efforts are enabling Afghan National Army Soldiers to assume responsibility from their American counterparts and run the detention facility.

Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, in partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and U.S. interagency and international partners, conducts operations in detentions, corrections, the judicial sector and biometrics. Ultimately, conditions permitting, CJIATF-435 will transition detention operations to Afghan control while promoting Rule of Law practices.

The DFIP, a state-of-the-art theater internment facility, located several kilometers from Bagram Airfield, was completed in September 2009 and occupied by detainees in late December 2009. The DFIP is equipped with a medical facility, on-site family visitation center, vocational facilities and educational classrooms. The design of the DFIP accommodates detainee reintegration efforts and enables CJIATF-435 to better align detainee operations with the overall strategy to defeat the extremist insurgency in Afghanistan.