Counter-Narcotics Training Academy (CNTA), Afghanistan, and Office of Security Cooperation, Iraq

SOSi operated three academies designed to train students on the investigation, interdiction, seizure, and enforcement of illicit substances in Afghanistan. These include the Afghan Counter Narcotics Training Academy, where SOSi trained more than 2,700 Counter Narcotics Police Officers. Additionally, SOSi operated the Afghan National Customs Police Academy and the Border Management Academy, graduating 800 Customs Officers and 380 Border Police, respectively.   

For all three academies, SOSi developed programs of instruction, conducted evaluations of the trainees, and managed the training facilities. SOSi was entirely responsible for assisting the Ministry of Interior to prepare its police, customs, and border patrol officers to implement Afghanistan’s Counter Narcotics Strategy. 

In addition to its work in Afghanistan, SOSi has provided Security Assistance Mentors and Advisors (SAMA) to the Office of Security Cooperation – Iraq. The advisors support OSC-I by assisting to support the Government of Iraq specifically the Ministry of Defense, Counterterrorism Service, Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Peshmerga. The SAMA advisors’ mentor, advise, coach, and liaise with the MoD, CTC, and MoP officials to maintain an open dialogue and support to improving ministerial processes and systems. 

In Afghanistan, SOSi trained and certified more than 4,000 Counter Narcotics police officers, border control officers, and customs officers over the course of five years. Additionally, SOSi trained Academy Afghanistan cadre to fully transition and take full responsibility for training and certifying officers. 

In Iraq, SAMA advisors made a significant impact at the highest levels, to include supporting some of the largest Foreign Military Sales cases in the region –  the M1 Abrams Tank, C130J transport plan, and F16 fighter jets procurement and fielding to the Iraqi Security Forces. In addition, SOSi advisors played instrumental roles in maintaining communications channels and support during the ISIS invasion of Iraq in 2014 and during riots at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in December 2019.