Afghan commander tours Afghan National Army Logistics Support Area Parwan
 By MCC (SW) Maria Yager , Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435
  PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 28, 2011) — The Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 Afghan commander toured the Afghan National Army Logistics Support Area Thursday, March 24, 2011, to observe operations, inspect construction progress and meet with ANA Soldiers. “These are like my kids, my sons, my family and I am very happy to visit them,” said Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Marjan Shuja. “They’re responsible to serve the country as military police.” The LSA is home to members of the Parwan and Pol-E-Charki Military Police Brigade, currently assigned as guard force members at the Detention Facility in Parwan as part of the conditions-based transition of detention operations to the government of Afghanistan.  As the CJIATF-435 Afghan commander, Marjan maintains oversight of the transition. “The transition is underway,” said Marjan. “We’ve had great accomplishments in the training courses we started in the last year. The Soldiers are doing a great job.” After meeting with brigade leaders at their recently completed headquarters, Marjan walked through the facilities. He inspected the dining facility expansion project and spoke with ANA Soldiers about living conditions in the LSA. In the past year, ANA Soldiers living on the LSA have moved from temporary tents to newly constructed permanent wood-frame structures. Future plans include a parade field and gym where Soldiers can relax in their off-duty hours. Marjan then proceeded to the DFIP, adjacent to the LSA, to inspect the Afghan-run housing unit. The ANA Soldiers who work in the facility are specially trained in the safe, secure, humane care and custody of detainees and prisoners in accordance with international standards and Afghan law. “As I walked through the Afghan Housing Unit, I could clearly see that the Soldiers are doing a great job, which I attribute to their training courses,” said Marjan. After completing basic army training and basic military police training in Kabul, ANA Soldiers selected for duty at the DFIP receive advanced individual training at the Detention Operations Transition Course at the LSA. Marjan told the group that he intends to return regularly to meet with soldiers and assess construction progress. Maj. Gen. Marjan Shuja joined the Afghan National Army in 1967, serving as a platoon commander for the 1st Corps Tank Brigade in Pol-e-Charki and later as a company commander. During his career he served as a company commander and instructor for tank drivers, gunners and commanders. The general also served in various positions within the Ministry of Defense. Marjan assumed his current duties as CJIATF-435 Afghan commander Sept. 15, 2010. The Parwan and Pol-E-Charki Military Police Brigade is responsible for the confinement of detainees and national security threats throughout Afghanistan, and for the training, equipping and assigning of ANA personnel for the guard force and headquarters staff at the DFIP. The Parwan and Pol-E-Charki Military Police Brigade also provides rapid reaction forces and quick reaction forces for emergency situations. The brigade, established in 2006, partners with CJIATF-435, the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court, Attorney General’s Office, National Directorate of Security and the Ministry of Interior for the conditions-based transition of DFIP operations to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. CJIATF-435 has oversight for detention operations in Afghanistan, including care and custody of detainees, full implementation of detainee review procedures, and vocational and educational programs designed to facilitate the peaceful reintegration of detainees into society. CJIATF-435 serves as correction and detention operations advisors for their ANA partners. CJIATF-435 is conducting a conditions-based transition of detention operations to Afghan control while promoting Rule of Law practices.