2009 PRESS RELEASES
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND U.S. EMBASSY TEAM UP FOR ANTITERRORISM TRAINING
Dushanbe, Tajikistan. On October 16 Regional Security Officer of U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan Erik Olerud congratulated 17 members of Tajikistan's Ministry of Interior on completing a three-week Tactical Commanders Course.
The course introduced tactical commanders and team leaders to modern command and staff techniques. Mid-level and senior law enforcement officials with tactical commander responsibilities learned how to combat terrorism by managing tactical responses to a variety of terrorist incidents.
Specifically, participants learned how to plan for tactical operations in a weapons of mass destruction environment, manage special and major events, plan for successful resolutions, establish tactical teams, design unit training, conduct site surveys and vulnerability assessments, establish personnel standards of acceptance for a special operations unit, develop operational orders and plans, and formulate standard operating procedures.
Course participants conducted several practical exercises in which they developed operational orders and plans for responses to a hostage-taking situation or other terrorist incidents.
The Tactical Commanders Course is the third Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) course of 2009 sponsored by the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Office. Since 2002, over 350 Government of Tajikistan officials have participated in ATA-sponsored training activities at an estimated cost of over $6 million. Training programs are conducted in the United States and in Tajikistan.
The Office of Antiterrorism Assistance Program was established in 1983 and is part of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State. It is an essential U.S. Government mechanism for the provision of training, equipment and technology to partner governments actively engaged in the War on Terrorism.
Regional Security Officer Olerud remarked in his speech that the United States values its excellent relationship with the Government of Tajikistan and looks forward to continued cooperation and shared success.
