Afghan Border Police graduate basic training (11/23/09)
Photos from the 82nd Airborne Division 4th Brigade Combat Team


An Afghan Border Police officer administers an oath to ABP Soldiers graduating the Focused Border Development course Nov. 22, 2009 in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. The program is a basic training for the ABP, who previously relied on on-the-job training for its forces. More than 800 of Spin Boldak’s approximately 3,500 3rd Zone troopers have now received formal military training. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)

An Afghan Border Policeman hauls his new gear over his shoulder Nov. 22 in Spin Boldak. Graduates of the Focused Border Development program received new equipment, including body armor, to take back to their units upon completion of the training. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)

An honor graduate from the Focused Border Development program shows his certificate to his fellow Soldiers Nov. 22 in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. For the past seven months, the course has been transforming the Afghan Border Police from a militia to a modern military organization by giving ABP Soldiers standard training and equipment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)

An Afghan Border Policeman equipped with his new gear gives a high five to a fellow graduate of the Focused Border Development program Nov. 22 in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. Historically less well-equipped and trained than the other services, the ABP has started receiving new gear and training through the course. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)

Afghan Border Police conduct an inspection with U.S. combat advisors Oct. 22, 2009 at a remote outpost in Herat province’s Ghoryan desert. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)

Soldiers of the Afghan Border Police conduct a combat drill Oct. 22 at a remote outpost in Herat province's Ghoryan desert. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)

A Soldier with the Afghan Border Police climbs the steps to the second story of a checkpoint on Afghanistan's Iranian border. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)


Paratroopers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Task Force Fury,) 82nd Airborne Division chat with Afghan Border Police Soldiers Oct. 22 at a compound near Afghanistan's Iranian border. The Paratroopers became some of the only Americans to operate near the Iranian border in the course of advising the ABP. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)


Trenches line a checkpoint near the Iranian border in Farah province, Afghanistan. Tiny garrisons of Afghan Border Police often operate in areas dozens of kilometers away from the nearest community. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)