KABUL, Afghanistan - The Ring of Steel is getting stronger.
The metaphorical police protection of 25 checkpoints around this country's capital city is morphing into a professional force with each passing day. So it was fitting that Lt. Gen. Mohammad Ayub Salangi, Kabul City Police Commander, was the keynote speaker and one of several honored guests in a ribbon-cutting morning ceremony Jan. 31 that marked the completion of Phase 2 construction at the Ring of Steel Kandak (battalion) headquarters.
Phases 1 and 2, which began about six months ago, included new construction of three laundry/bathrooms, four barracks buildings, a new water tower, security enhancements at the front gate, improving the guard towers, and electrical work to have power hooked up to the city grid and installation of a backup generator.
Phase 3 will begin within 30 days and will involve more renovation to the existing headquarters building, kitchen and dining room, and converting and old barracks into a classroom, officials said.
Spearheading this estimated $900,000-construction effort was the Regional Support Command-Capital region, one of six regions that fall under the Deputy Commander-Regional Support, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan/ Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.
The RSCs facilitate contracting, training, and construction to support the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Representing the Capital Region was its commander, Col. Bob Wicks, Sgt. Maj. Andre Machado and Maj. Veronica Ko, the ANP Support Operations officer, who deals with all aspects of ANP operations to include logistics and engineering needs in Kabul. She was preceded by Maj. Cheney, executive officer for DCOM-RS.
Wicks presented Certificates of Appreciation to members of the Wright Brothers Construction Company that completed the contract for facility improvements.
Prior to the ribbon cutting Salangi spoke for 21 minutes addressing ANP personnel standing at attention with their weapons in formation near the headquarters' flag pole with the nation's colors slightly blowing in the wind during an unusually warm winter day.
After giving an impassioned speech, Salangi turned it over the battalion commander, Col. Mohammad Saber Aryan, Ring of Steel Kandak commander, who gave a brief address.
Also in attendance as a distinguished guest was Brig. Gen. Qadargul Zadran, Special Reserve Brigade commander, Aryan's boss.
Then, the ANP leadership and guests toured two barracks and a new latrine. Then the Salangi went back to the flagpole and briefly addressed the crowd before inviting guests up to Aryan's office in the kandak headquarters where a variety of snacks and beverages were offered.
In a translated interview after ceremonial-related activities, Salangi said it was a "great day" because of the completed construction for the Ring of Steel police.
"Today is a happy moment for me," he said, citing the education, training, and greatly improved facilities for the ANP. He emphasized the importance of his policemen now being able to shower, and sleep in a clean bed.
"In the past, we couldn't wash up. Our face was dusty and dirty."
Salangi recalled a decade ago when things were a "bad situation" prior to international involvement.
"I need the whole world to pay attention. We need assistance from the whole world," Salangi said. "Therefore, I am very happy to fight against terrorism."
He defined a terrorist as someone who really doesn't care about the innocent children and women. Salangi added that fighting terrorism in Afghanistan is not an Afghanistan thing, but rather a world problem.
Salangi said he has been wounded seven times in fighting terrorism. He also said that he thanks the international community for the sacrifices of their loved ones. "I'm very sorry and upset to the families that have lost their family members ...I'm upset when I hear of these deaths."
He also said the media has not been adequately reporting the accomplishments in Afghan construction resulting from international assistance.
"You can see a very big development...it's a great accomplishment," he said, adding equipment received such as Ford Rangers, tow trucks, and other transport vehicles. "It's now a great thing for us."
And the general said he was proud of the lower rank and file of the force. "There's nothing wrong with them. It's the politics...we need a unity policy" he said referring to different interests.
Asked what he said in his speech, Salangi said he told the ANP the background of the country, who's the enemy and who's the friend, policy of neighboring countries, local and world expectations, and Afghan leaders who have suffered attempting to bring peace.
Salangi added that he told them he expects his policemen to strive to be great, set the example and win the people's trust, be clean, and obey orders within your chain of command.
I told them to "keep your facilities that were built, clean and maintained well," Salangi said. "I thanked them for their hard work."
"We have to prepare ourselves for the day" to provide security, he said.
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