AN Army officer has arrived in Afghanistan for the first time to help train the war-torn country’s new police force.

Second Lieutenant Alasdair Macdonald, 24, is working alongside Afghan national security forces to prepare them to take over responsibility when coalition forces withdraw in 2015.

The former Abingdon School pupil is a member of the Intelligence Corps and currently on attachment to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Sec Lt Macdonald, who grew up in Sunningwell, near Abingdon, says he and his comrades are facing a series of difficult challenges He said: “We are quickly establishing where and how we can best assist the Afghan National Police in order to provide improved security to the local population.”

Sec Lt Macdonald’s parents, Ruth and Donald, still live in Sunningwell, where their son previously worked as a barman at the Flowing Well pub and played for Abingdon Vale Cricket Club.

There are currently about 106,000 fully-trained Afghan National Policemen in Afghanistan and the aim is to reach a target of 134,000 by the end of next year.

In November, five British troops were shot dead by a rogue policeman.

Sec Lt Macdonald said: “Working with the Afghan National Police comes with a unique set of challenges.

“But I’m confident the following months will see us overcome problems that arise, and watch the ANP develop to match and exceed our expectations.”

Sec Lt Macdonald, a keen rower, now lives in Camden, London, with his wife, Christine.

Last month the Oxford Mail reported how Lt Col Adam Griffiths, from Fernham, near Faringdon, is leading a team of soldiers from 5 Scots, the informal name for the regiment.

The father-of three, who has toured Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, is also helping to train Afghan police.

British armed forces are supporting the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force mission and the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operations in Afghanistan are being conducted under the name Operation Herrick.