Post by vgp on Dec 6, 2008 15:50:37 GMT 12
Three of 3news special reports on Afghanistan(couldn't find the rest on the search engine.)
www.3news.co.nz/Video/World/tabid/313/articleID/82722/cat/62/Default.aspx#video
Kiwi troops facing escalating threat in Afghanistan
With reports from Barack Obama’s administration suggesting an expansion of the conflict in Afghanistan, it seems likely that New Zealand troops will become increasingly involved in the fight against Islamic extremists.
Mike McRoberts is in the Bamyan Province with Kiwi troops. They have assimilated well but face the daily threat of roadside bomb blasts.
After last weekend’s roadside bomb, patrols in the area are on high alert.
“Certainly we have made the soldiers aware of the increased threat and that has raised the way they are doing their duties,” says NZ Commander Colonel Richard Hall.
Troops were trained at Waiouru to deal with ‘improvised explosive devices’ before being deployed to Afghanistan.
Scenarios that troops had to deal with included a roadside bomb injuring a number of their own.
Weeks of training have fine-tuned a process of securing the area, providing immediate first aid and finally calling in air support.
But are these bombs being aimed specifically at New Zealand troops?
“It’s very difficult to tell,” says Colonel Hall. “They are certainly being targeted at the security forces and we would be included in that wider definition.”
The Kiwis, who still patrol the township in caps rather than helmets, are keen to avoid a heavy handed stance, but there may be no other option if the threat against them continues to escalate.
3 News
www.3news.co.nz/Video/World/tabid/313/articleID/82890/Default.aspx#video
NZ aid money and police helping train Afghanistan's new police force
The international forces in Afghanistan know the only way they can ever completely hand back the security of the country to the people is for its national army and police to be of a standard to take over.
Twenty thousand Afghan troops and police officers have been trained in the past year, and New Zealanders have played a key role in that process.
The New Zealand Police have been based in the Afghan province of Bamyan since 2005, running a mentoring and training programme with the Afghan police. Around $1 million in New Zealand aid money has gone into the programme, and it has been money well spent.
The relationship between the Afghan National Police and the New Zealand deployment in Bamyan is evident from the time you arrive at the Kiwi base. They are the first line of security, as they are also in wider communities of the country.
Today is a special day as 45 new recruits are graduating from an eight-week programme. Before they graduate, they pledge their allegiance to their country, swearing on the Quran, Afghan soil and an AK47.
Superintendent Dave Montgomery leads a three-strong New Zealand police delegation who effectively train the trainers. It is not an easy job - more than 1000 Afghan police have been killed in the line of duty.
"Yes there is a lot of deaths," he says. "It’s something we can’t even consider coming from New Zealand, but there must be some trepidation as they head out and start to police."
The only emotion on display today though is pride. As they collect their certificates they yell "shwan", meaning "live long".
A new policeman told 3 News he is not afraid of the danger, saying, "I am an Afghan and I am brave."
Among the dignitaries and others presenting the new police officers with their certificates is Afghanistan’s top policewoman, an impossible dream only a few years ago.
www.3news.co.nz/Video/World/tabid/313/articleID/83093/cat/64/Default.aspx#video
Kiwi troops face threats from over-the-border insurgents
One of the biggest security threats faced by international military forces in Afghanistan is from non-Afghan insurgents entering the country from Pakistan.
Mike McRoberts, reporting from Bamyan Province, says Kiwi troops are not immune from the porous border.
Troops based in the North East of the province have arguably the most challenging assignment of the New Zealand deployment.
Lieutenant Sean McCulloch is the commander of Kiwi Two patrol at the Romero base, his troops face the constant threat of ambush.
“There’s not really much you can do about it,” says Lt. McCulloch, “apart from understanding what’s on the other side of the hills because that’s really got the most to do with where they are going to ambush you next.”
Lt. McCulloch’s vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb on his second day in the North East of Bamyan.
“It took out the vehicle’s electronics and stopped the motor and we essentially had to get out of the vehicle in a hurry and head for cover,” he says.
The impact of the bomb sent glass from the windscreen into Lt. McCulloch’s face but the army man says the incident has not shaken him or his troops.
“I’ve had far worse playing rugby,” he says.
The state of the roadsides is a priority for the Kiwi troops.
Not only are they littered with Russian tanks, the rusting relics of a distant war, but they are vulnerable to roadside bombs.
The situation is so bad humanitarian aid trucks are refusing to travel through here at the moment which means the people of nearby Duwarbe village face a bleak winter.
Some of the locals blame the New Zealand troops presence for the bombings but Lt. McCulloch is confident his team are winning the battle for hearts and minds.
“Sometimes they are not that friendly, but they’re friendly on the inside, smiling on the inside.”
www.3news.co.nz/Video/World/tabid/313/articleID/82722/cat/62/Default.aspx#video
Kiwi troops facing escalating threat in Afghanistan
With reports from Barack Obama’s administration suggesting an expansion of the conflict in Afghanistan, it seems likely that New Zealand troops will become increasingly involved in the fight against Islamic extremists.
Mike McRoberts is in the Bamyan Province with Kiwi troops. They have assimilated well but face the daily threat of roadside bomb blasts.
After last weekend’s roadside bomb, patrols in the area are on high alert.
“Certainly we have made the soldiers aware of the increased threat and that has raised the way they are doing their duties,” says NZ Commander Colonel Richard Hall.
Troops were trained at Waiouru to deal with ‘improvised explosive devices’ before being deployed to Afghanistan.
Scenarios that troops had to deal with included a roadside bomb injuring a number of their own.
Weeks of training have fine-tuned a process of securing the area, providing immediate first aid and finally calling in air support.
But are these bombs being aimed specifically at New Zealand troops?
“It’s very difficult to tell,” says Colonel Hall. “They are certainly being targeted at the security forces and we would be included in that wider definition.”
The Kiwis, who still patrol the township in caps rather than helmets, are keen to avoid a heavy handed stance, but there may be no other option if the threat against them continues to escalate.
3 News
www.3news.co.nz/Video/World/tabid/313/articleID/82890/Default.aspx#video
NZ aid money and police helping train Afghanistan's new police force
The international forces in Afghanistan know the only way they can ever completely hand back the security of the country to the people is for its national army and police to be of a standard to take over.
Twenty thousand Afghan troops and police officers have been trained in the past year, and New Zealanders have played a key role in that process.
The New Zealand Police have been based in the Afghan province of Bamyan since 2005, running a mentoring and training programme with the Afghan police. Around $1 million in New Zealand aid money has gone into the programme, and it has been money well spent.
The relationship between the Afghan National Police and the New Zealand deployment in Bamyan is evident from the time you arrive at the Kiwi base. They are the first line of security, as they are also in wider communities of the country.
Today is a special day as 45 new recruits are graduating from an eight-week programme. Before they graduate, they pledge their allegiance to their country, swearing on the Quran, Afghan soil and an AK47.
Superintendent Dave Montgomery leads a three-strong New Zealand police delegation who effectively train the trainers. It is not an easy job - more than 1000 Afghan police have been killed in the line of duty.
"Yes there is a lot of deaths," he says. "It’s something we can’t even consider coming from New Zealand, but there must be some trepidation as they head out and start to police."
The only emotion on display today though is pride. As they collect their certificates they yell "shwan", meaning "live long".
A new policeman told 3 News he is not afraid of the danger, saying, "I am an Afghan and I am brave."
Among the dignitaries and others presenting the new police officers with their certificates is Afghanistan’s top policewoman, an impossible dream only a few years ago.
www.3news.co.nz/Video/World/tabid/313/articleID/83093/cat/64/Default.aspx#video
Kiwi troops face threats from over-the-border insurgents
One of the biggest security threats faced by international military forces in Afghanistan is from non-Afghan insurgents entering the country from Pakistan.
Mike McRoberts, reporting from Bamyan Province, says Kiwi troops are not immune from the porous border.
Troops based in the North East of the province have arguably the most challenging assignment of the New Zealand deployment.
Lieutenant Sean McCulloch is the commander of Kiwi Two patrol at the Romero base, his troops face the constant threat of ambush.
“There’s not really much you can do about it,” says Lt. McCulloch, “apart from understanding what’s on the other side of the hills because that’s really got the most to do with where they are going to ambush you next.”
Lt. McCulloch’s vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb on his second day in the North East of Bamyan.
“It took out the vehicle’s electronics and stopped the motor and we essentially had to get out of the vehicle in a hurry and head for cover,” he says.
The impact of the bomb sent glass from the windscreen into Lt. McCulloch’s face but the army man says the incident has not shaken him or his troops.
“I’ve had far worse playing rugby,” he says.
The state of the roadsides is a priority for the Kiwi troops.
Not only are they littered with Russian tanks, the rusting relics of a distant war, but they are vulnerable to roadside bombs.
The situation is so bad humanitarian aid trucks are refusing to travel through here at the moment which means the people of nearby Duwarbe village face a bleak winter.
Some of the locals blame the New Zealand troops presence for the bombings but Lt. McCulloch is confident his team are winning the battle for hearts and minds.
“Sometimes they are not that friendly, but they’re friendly on the inside, smiling on the inside.”
