Wanted: Afghan butcher class for US special forces

US special forces to learn how to butcher meat and cook "authentic" meals for village elders.

WASHINGTON: US special forces in Afghanistan are known for taking out militants in stealthy night raids but commanders now want them to learn how to butcher meat and cook "authentic" meals for village elders.

The military is planning a three-day "abattoir training" course for the highly-trained troops, who will be taught how to slaughter, cure and cook meat in line with Afghan customs, according to US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

The command issued a request last week for private contractors to organize classes for 132 students on "how to use local Afghan cooking materials and prepare an authentic Afghan meal cooked in the style and presentation that would be expected by local village elders."

The contractor also would teach troops halal slaughter methods in according with Islamic practices, said the Pentagon solicitation, which was first reported by Wired magazine's Danger Room blog.

"The contractor shall provide instruction on how to process and cure meats and vegetables in a culturally sensitive environment," it said.

The request suggests the butchering and cooking skills would help special operations troops forge ties with local Afghans, though the official purpose of the classes was to "provide students with necessary meat butchering training for the Islamic culture."

Apart from butchering meat the Afghan way, the troops will also be taught how to "preserve meat and residual hides" and to bake bread "with raw wheat kernels," it said.