Afghanistan's Military Police Guard Command celebrates 14th anniversary

By Jon Micheal Connor, Army Public AffairsFebruary 13, 2019

usa image
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of Afghanistan's Military Police Guard Command listen during a speech made during a ceremony honoring the 14th anniversary of the MPGC. The event was held at the Shura hall of the Afghan National Security Justice Center compound at Bagram Ai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of Afghanistan's Military Police Guard Command listen to a speech during a ceremony honoring the 14th anniversary of the MPGC. The event was held at the Shura hall of the Afghan National Security Justice Center compound at Bagram Airfield, A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Stephen Gabavics, director, Joint Task Force Parwan, converses with Maj. Gen. Safiullah Safi, commander of Afghanistan's Military Police Guard Command, prior to a luncheon marking the 14th anniversary of the MPGC. (Photo by Jon Micheal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Daniel Conley, commander, Bagram Airfield, gives remarks during a ceremony honoring the 14th anniversary of the MPGC. Conley complimented the MPGC for its sacrifices, character, and bravery shown daily in its mission. (Photo by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The Military Police Guard Command of Afghanistan celebrated its 14th anniversary Feb. 7 here in its Shura hall on the Afghan National Security Justice Center compound.

The anniversary was marked with speeches, award presentations, cake cutting, and a luncheon for the top leadership. An estimated 400 to 500 Afghan military police guards attended the event.

"Ceremonies such as these offer the opportunity to reflect on your history, legacy of those who have gone before us to acknowledge the work and sacrifice of the soldiers across Afghanistan today, and to look to the future that is made more hopeful and secure because of those gathered here this morning," said U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Daniel Conley, commander, BAF.

Conley's speech was translated to the audience.

The MPGC provides security services at military bases, law enforcement, and investigations, throughout Afghanistan, Conley said, along with the transferring prisoners, and providing humane and secure detention of prisoners.

Conley said the U.S. and its NATO coalition partners could not carry out their daily missions in and around BAF if it wasn't for the MPGC providing security in the Parwan and Kapisa provinces through patrolling with the Czech and Georgian soldiers. The MPGC's soldiers character and bravery are evident in such missions.

"The future is made more hopeful and bright because of what you do on a daily basis in support of a free and independent Afghanistan," Conley said. "MPGC soldiers were critical of that future when securing polling sites for parliamentary elections last fall."

Maj. Gen. Safiullah Safi, commander of the MPGC and Brig. Gen. Abdul Raziq Baray, 1st MPGC brigade commander also gave speeches along with several other prominent Afghans.

Also in attendance were some members of the Resolute Support Mission's U.S. Forces - Afghanistan's Joint Task Force Parwan. JTF Parwan's mission is to train, advise and assist its Afghan counterparts, said Maj. Steven Martin, operations officer.

"We build on their processes and procedures," Martin said.

Afghans serving at the detention facility and prison are on a one-year assignment, he said.

The MPGC has about 4,500 personnel consisting of one brigade, five battalions, and a garrison support unit. The majority of personnel live on the compound for their tour.

Martin explained that events like this -- recognizing excellence in professional work -- also serve to develop relationships.

Afghan holidays as well as U.S. holidays are sometimes celebrated together, he said.

"This builds a lot of our rapport and strengthens our bond that we have with our partners," Martin said.

RELATED STORIES