Camp Shelby training new Security teams | News

CAMP SHELBY, MS (WDAM)- Camp Shelby is offering a new type of training for security missions in Afghanistan. Trainers at the post are currently working with National Guard soldiers from Hawaii and Texas, who are part of newly-formed Security Force Assistance Advisor Teams.

They are the first troops from the National Guard to be assigned to the teams.

While in Afghanistan, they will support efforts to prevent terrorism and insurgent activity in that country.

"They have to be able to take Afghan national security forces, whether it's police, whether it's army and use them to accomplish the task," said Lt. Col. Walter Roberson, a training officer with the 158th Infantry Brigade at Camp Shelby. "So, they have to learn how to work through others to accomplish their mission and you have to work through language barriers, you have to work through cultural barriers," Roberson said.

"I think it's a really good mission and it gives us a chance to apply a lot of our civilian skills from our civilian jobs into this to help the Afghans build their security forces," said Capt. Kawika Hosea of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Hawaii.

"I've never been to Afghanistan, so I'm always up for new challenges and I hope we can help the country as well as represent our country to the fullest," said Capt. Bingham Tuisamatatele from American Samoa, who also serves in the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

About four dozen Security Force Assistance Advisor Teams are currently being trained at Camp Shelby.

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