For the last six months, eight members of the RAF Police have been deployed to Afghanistan with the mission to train, mentor, shape and influence the Afghan National Police in order to create a secure environment.
The job involved numerous contacts with the enemy and, for Sergeant John Muir, this would prove to be the most challenging operational experience of his Service career.
He deployed to Afghanistan in October 2008 with Corporals Barnaby, Proctor, Kirk, Sibley, Wells, Rush and O'Boyle. Along with members of the Royal Military Police they joined 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR) and formed police mentoring teams at various forward operating bases and patrol bases in southern Helmand.
Cpl O'Boyle and Sgt Muir deployed to Patrol Base Jaker which Sgt Muir described as a two-storey, roofless, partially-built building located on the outskirts of Nawa District Centre. He said:
"Conditions were harsh with no running water, no electricity, no toilet facilities etc. Meals were produced using the contents of 24-hour ration packs and resupply of essential rations and equipment via helicopter drops only. Attacks by enemy forces on ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] were frequent, with the patrol base and our patrols regularly being subject to 107mm rocket, RPG [rocket-propelled grenade], PKM and SAF [both machine guns]."
Their initial task was to form bonds and build a trusting relationship with members of the Afghan National Police (ANP) command structure, and policemen on the ground. This was done by undertaking a number of shuras (meetings) with the Chief of Police, during which the RAF personnel laid out plans for the training and mentoring of his men. Sgt Muir continued:
"The Chief of Police was very much pro-ISAF and welcomed our training and policing expertise. Training began at a very basic level, concentrating primarily on security-related subjects. The police mentoring team would patrol out to the ANP checkpoints and assume operational control of the checkpoints. This would release the policemen from their duties enabling us to conduct lessons."
Over a period of three months instruction was given by the RAF Police in subjects such as vehicle and person search, room clearance and search, evidence handling, and arrest and restraint:
"The lessons were well-received by the ANP and we noted a marked improvement in their professional standards as a result," said Sgt Muir. "Joint patrols and operations were undertaken, during which we mentored the ANP, ensuring that they maintained that professionalism whilst operating on the ground.
"One such operation resulted in the recovery of numerous items of enemy forces' weaponry and ammunition. Cpl O'Boyle discovered rocket-propelled grenade warheads buried in a latrine and had the unenviable task of scraping away human excrement to reveal the cache!"
The deployment saw the RAF Police involved in numerous contacts with enemy forces when, in addition to returning fire, they provided policing expertise under the most hostile of conditions:
"'Contact, Wait Out!' - three words I never thought I'd hear myself say outside of the exercise environment," Sgt Muir added.
The training of a professional and robust police force is one of the key factors in delivering security to the people of Afghanistan, as Sgt Muir explained:
"We have been at the forefront of this task and it is something that I have been proud to play my part in. Yes, this is an infantry-based role where soldiering skills are essential but considering the locations and conditions in which we are operating, that is to be expected.
"We are fully integrated within our respective multiples and as such are expected to react to situations in exactly the same way as they do. If we were not to do so we would be a burden to the multiple and would ultimately put our colleagues in danger.
"Being a Service policeman, however, is of equal importance. We are the subject matter experts in both policing and security matters and in this hostile environment are best placed to deliver the training package. Working alongside the ANP can be trying but we know we are achieving our goals so it is rewarding."
