KUNAR PROVINCE – Nov. 17 - At the age of 28, Sayed Alam left his native country Pakistan for America, and never thought he’d see the region again. “America was better,” said Sayed, now an American citizen of 27 years. “All my family knew this, so we moved there. In America opportunities are wide open and nothing is limited.” Sayed would work the next 20 years in various restaurants chains, until realizing the American dream, and opening a UPS store with his wife.
Wanting to give back, Sayed drew upon the half dozen languages he's fluent in, learned from his native Pakistan, and working in the restaurant industry. Sayed submitted his resume to become an interpreter. “A company contacted me after finding my infor online, and offered me a job as a linguist in Afghanistan,” said Sayed. His new job took him to COP Honaker-Miracle; less than 10-miles from the border of his native Pakistan, but far away from his family’s new home. “I enjoy working with these people,” said Sayed. “The team is great and it’s the best experience that I’ve had in my life.” For the past 6 months, Sayed has worked with American forces translating the needs and concerns of the local population, but his most memorable experience was during the first week he arrived. “They told me, Sayed let's go; there’s a mission,” he remembered. “I got dressed, and late at night we set out walking for 6 hours arresting insurgents.” Although, Sayed’s wife, Tarana and their kids worry about him, they understand the necessity of his job. Sayed reassures his wife that with his new friends, he is safe. “I explain to her that because I work for the Army, I am never alone.” Keeping this in mind, Sayed looks at his journey to Afghanistan as a lesson for his children and opportunity for their future. “America has given me so much that I wanted to give back,” said Sayed. “This is a lesson for my kids. They see I had all of the luxury of living in America, and still left. Not only does this job open doors for the future, but it offers limitless opportunities.”NANGARHAR PROVINCE - Army Soldiers from the 1st Sqdrn, 108th Cav Regt, “Rough Riders,” from the Georgia NG, assumed responsibility for 9 districts in Nangarhar prov., from the 4th ID’s TF Gryphon, Oct. 30.
The event was a quiet transfer of authority to the Rough Riders, who've had elements in Afghanistan as early as March 2008, working on Police Mentor Teams. As PMTs, the Soldiers are responsible for mentoring and advising the ANP and ABP as part of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, and are scattered throughout eastern Afghanistan.
“The past 6 months can be viewed as a warm-up for combined action,” said Army Lt. Col. Randall Simmons, Rough Riders' cmdr. “After working the eTT mission in support of the Afghan army, and with so many of our Soldiers working side-by-side with the ANP and ABP, the transition to our own battle-space to conduct combined action with our Afghan counterparts was natural, because we were already doing it.”
“The move is extremely positive,” said Army Maj. Andrew McDonald, the unit’s ops officer. “The consolidation of the unit has created great synergy and has made an immediate and positive impact in Nangarhar prov.” In the past 2 weeks alone, Simmons and various other members of his staff traveled to some of the most remote areas of the prov., crossing rocky riverbeds, deserts and enemy mountain strongholds, to meet with key community leaders and discuss issues such as security, development and governance.
KHOST PROVINCE - In a small mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan, ISAF members of the Khost PRT are put to the test. Insurgents attack COP Sabari in the Khost District with indirect fire on a near daily basis. However, a group of ISAF members work with Afghan people who want to make their village a better place for their families and future generations of Afghans.
Army Staff Sgt. Sam Rogers, an ISAF Civil Affairs ‘Team East’ leader, accompanies patrols in the area to help the Afghan leadership make changes for the better within the local populace. “Since the PRT arrived in Sabari, the previous approach to governance and development assistance was hands-off due to the poor security and minimal interaction with the populace,” Rogers said. “Our biggest effort as a combined team is to show greater support to the District Gov. Muhklis, and identify the local source of instability affecting the populace.”
PRT members provide better access and visibility to the provincial govt, observing interaction with local leaders, promoting the mission, announcements, and invitations for feedback on govt projects, through a local radio station. “The District Gov. is a well educated man who truly believes in the future of Afghanistan, and its people,” Rogers said. “His actions since taking office made the most significant contribution to the mission in Sabari.”
According to Rogers, the joint efforts of all the ANSF and ISAF members help improve security in the area, and gain the population’s trust. They see how the GoA and CF work together in a more positive, professional, culturally aware and considerate force. These partnerships will help pave a better way ahead for the people in the district, he said. “A representative govt, free of corruption, is what the people need, but it's not an easy goal to achieve,” he continued. “The main effort is for a stable, non-threatening Afghanistan, able to meet the needs of its people.”
“At PRT Khost, our primary effort is to connect Afghans with Afghans, and provide solutions to the root cause of instability,” said Army Lt. Col. Rob Cooley, Civil Military Ops Center leader and PRT Khost dep. cmdr. “We're trying to connect the village and tribal elders with their district leadership, the district leadership with its provincial leadership, and its provincial leadership with its national leadership.”
There are still many hurdles to cross such as securing the people, maintaining legitimate governance and urban development. The process to deliver better security and development through the ANSF and GoI leadership is one of the biggest.
According to Rogers, the greatest concern would be having a change in District Gov., which can happen frequently and with little notice. This is a result of the current approach to govt that the Afghans are using, but if it happened, it would almost be like starting from square one all over again, he said. "While working in Paktika, I had many threats, and even now, in Sabari, I can't stay in my own home, or the insurgents and criminals will kill me,” said Gov. Muklis. “I need to provide for my family; a good life now, and a better life in the future. Many people ask me why I work for the Americans. I tell them that I work with the Americans. I love my country.”
Many of the threats or consequences come in the form of night letters. Pashtunwali, meaning “the way of the Pashtuns,” presents an “Honor Code,” which, along with religious reasons or outright fear, contributes to the populace giving safe haven or provisions to the enemy, or turning a blind eye to their activities. Due to these reasons, their willingness to support the govt and SECFOR is tentative at best. The rules and regulations of the tribal society have been around for more than 2,000 years, and are resolute in the Khost Prov.
"The majority of the populace is intimidated by a larger than reality perception that the insurgents and criminals are everywhere and see everything," Rogers said. "They live in fear of even the slightest offense to the enemy, but nobody that I've spoken to knows anyone who has actually been punished to such an extreme as death or dismemberment."
“We've heard recently that the people of Khost have greater trust and confidence in their govt and SECFOR,” Cooley said. “They see improvements in the quality of construction projects underway, and a more responsive govt willing to address the needs of the villages and their people. There's still a lot more work to be done, but all partners are taking steps in the right direction.”
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By Spc. Shantelle Campbell
With guidance from the 1434th, IA troops put their new skills to use on the 2nd day of class. Split into 2 groups, the Soldiers practiced measuring, cutting boards, and framing the dormitory-style rooms in the existing structure. "It was great; there was sawdust everywhere; the IA Soldiers were so excited to be working, they didn't want to take a break," said Pfc. Raymond Shehata. Shehata, originally from Egypt, was assigned to the project because of his fluency in Arabic, and helped out with the hands-on portion of the class.
Shehata gained valuable insight into the effectiveness of the training, because of his comprehension of Arabic. He was crucial to earning the IA Soldiers' respect, which contributed greatly to the success of the mission. "Being a part of the partnership training gives me a great feeling of accomplishment, and knowing I was teaching them new skills," said Shehata.
By Army 1st Lt. Nathan McEwen
“It’s a lot of fun being one of the carpentry guys,” said Spc. Damon Krach, a medic. “I have worked on different types of projects ranging from tables and desks, to shelves and hallways. I even had the opportunity to work on a washroom.”
Working on improving the security station can be relaxing and helps to pass the time during the deployment, the soldiers said. “Instead of sitting around after my shift, I will go and work on wiring or building something like new flooring for the tents, and it helps pass the time,” said Army Staff Sgt. Chris Hale, an ops NCO. “It seems to make the deployment go by quicker, which is always a plus.” Since June 15, when C Troop moved into the area, the station has expanded steadily. Border transition teams Phoenix and Scimitar established the JSS, and now with everyone working together and combining ideas and skills, the quality of life has improved project by project. “The station has come a long way since our arrival,” said Cpl. Timothy McBride, a C Troop armorer. Every month or so, he said, at least one large project improves the quality of life, and the pace seems to be speeding up with more and more large projects. Through the soldiers’ teamwork, the station now has amenities such as heated running water, a fully functional dining facility, a gym, and copious amounts of a/c.
Staff Sgt. Chris Hale welds together 2 modules of the new dining facility.
By Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio
The factory has been in business since 1994, but only recently restarted ops after being disrupted by the war. The improving security situation and renewed interest in their rugs has prompted the ladies to return to their work.
As the Army’s first unit to perform the “advise and assist” mission in Iraq, the bde’s mission is providing military support to building civil capacity in 3 southern provs. Women’s initiatives – a vital part of that civil capacity – are an essential ingredient for promoting stability in Iraq. Key to this mission is the cooperation among the provincial govt, the State Dept-led PRTs, and the soldiers on the ground with TF Pathfinder. Built around the core of 2nd Bn, 29th FAR, Pathfinder incorporates civilian experts, professional engrs, and civil affairs units, as it works hand-in-hand with the PRTs to develop projects and training programs that help Iraqis address a wide range of concerns.
A woman removes her completed rug from the loom to prepare it for sale.
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