The city's residents fled in 2006 due to a Taliban takeover, and were forced to pay rent to live in other villages. Constant fighting between CF and Taliban fighters to lay claim to the city quickly turned the area into a no man's land. The collateral damage associated with such fighting, coupled with neglect resulted in the city slipping into ruin. Nevertheless, in the recent weeks the mood in this once somber area has been lifted, as citizens from the Now Zad area have returned to reclaim and rebuild. "Cobra's Anger gave us the chance to displace Taliban leadership, locate and destroy Taliban supply storages, IEDs and weapons, as well as the opportunity to secure the local populace," said Capt. Jason Brezler, 31, the team leader for the 3/4 civil affairs group. "In conjunction with that, we started going out and leveraging folks to return, because we know the greatest source of instability, is being displaced for such a long period of time, with really no economic means and really no economic opportunity." Shortly after sunrise, men of all ages arrived at the Now Zad district center with shovel in hand and swept sidewalks, removed dirt from drainage ways, salvaged bricks, cut down overgrowth and hauled trash away. "They get paid daily 250 [Afghan dollars] ,which is a very good day's salary for them," said Brezler. "They've a legitimate means of income to put food on their tables for their families and take care of their basic needs without having to resort to working for the Taliban."While their fathers are busy removing the stains of Taliban repression, the younger Afghan generation is busy receiving an education at the Now Zad District Center. "The first day we put up a school, got some kids to come, told some workers we'd pay them to help start cleaning up the bazaar and district center, and then it started to build," said Brezler. "We went from 30 workers a day to upwards of 500 a day and having 30 kids a day in school to having 160 kids a day in school.""In the last few weeks, everything that's happened has far exceeded my expectations," said Brezler. "I thought even just the things that have happened to date would take potentially months." The reconstruction effort received a greater momentum with the arrival of Sayed Agah, the Now Zad district gov., who recently toured the district center, school and bazaar. "It's a great thing that reconstruction is going on in the Now Zad district," said Agah, through an interpreter. "We're showing the people that we're helping them. We can show them that the enemy, the Taliban, never helped them this way, and we're here to rebuild and return them back to their own areas. Much work stills remains ahead in order to return Now Zad's market and district center back to its former condition, but local villagers seem patient and determined to not only restore the area, but make it better then it was before. With the help of God, ANSF and a few Marines, the people of Now Zad are walking in the direction of peace and prosperity, and setting an example for all of Afghanistan to follow."We still have a lot of limitations and a lot of challenges we need to overcome," said Brezler. "But every day we're finding ways to leave the city a little bit better at the end of that day, than it was previously."
A teacher at the schoolhouse in the district center in Now Zad, addresses his students during class, Dec. 15. Afghans from the villages throughout the Now Zad have begun to rebuild the district center and district market while their children attend school.
Capt. Jason Brezler speaks with children attending school.
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Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
Navy Submarine Engineer Takes on New Role
Navy Lt. David Bartles stands in front of the Combined Joint TF 82's joint ops command center, Dec. 31. Bartles, who was just recently serving as a senior leader on a nuclear sub relishes his new role as an info ops battle captain, in the fight in Afghanistan.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD – One job is aboard a nuclear sub and is responsible for $500 million worth of equipment. Another job requires knowledge and analysis of insurgent messaging and propaganda in newsprint, radio and television. One requires a service member to be underwater for months at a time. The other involves working at a computer for 10 hours a day.
PANJSHIR PROVINCE – “Out of the 200 to 300 students who graduate their 12th year of school here in Panjshir every year, only 2 or 3 of those pass the entrance exam to get into Kabul University,” said Afghan Col. Rajab, Panjshir Provincial Operational Control Center cmdr. “It’s embarrassing for us, and we can do better.” Colonel Rajab isn’t the only one who thinks so. He's joined in his sentiments by Panjshir Gov. Bahlol, Panjshir Dep. Gov. Kabiri, and Bismullah Khan, Panjshir ANA Chief of Staff.
Together they contacted a host of Panjshiri businessmen to raise money in order to improve the quality of education in the valley. Since its inception last month, the group has raised more than $70,000, U.S. dollars. The money will go towards continuing education for teachers in the valley, and provide funds for a 3-month tutoring course. These classes will be taught over the winter months while school is not in session, and will prepare graduating students to pass the university entrance exam.
“Three decades of war have had a negative impact on our economy and education system,” Rajab said. “The teachers aren't as qualified as they need to be, but they’re dedicated, and this program will help them become better, which will produce better students.”
Tuition to the university in Kabul is free, and the only criteria for admittance are a passing score on the entrance exam and graduation from high school. Any Panjshir student who wishes to attend the university may take part in the entrance exam preparatory course. All materials will be provided, including transportation, food and lodging.
“This program serves as an inspiration. Panjshiris understand that education is the key to a more promising future,” said Army Lt. Col. Eric Hommel, Panjshir PRT cmdr. “They know that education equals opportunity, and opportunity leads to prosperity and stability. This is how Afghans will defeat the Taliban, by combating ignorance through education."
The idea is not a new one, according to Mr. Yousufi, Panjshir dir. of Culture and Info. “It’s been done before,” said Mr. Yousufi. “There was a similar program about 2 years ago. However, this is the first time the effort has been organized, and now they even have an office where they manage the program.”
When asked what the goal of the program is, that is, how many of the students participating in the program are expected to pass the exam, Colonel Rajab laughed and said, “Why, all of them of course.”
Pfc. Brandon Swiger, a vehicle operator said, "Learning to drive and handle this big truck has given me more confidence." Swiger is one of many Soldiers from the class who stated that because of Spc. Tipton's previous driving experience, he was able to give them valuable pointers on driving the HET.
FOB WARRIOR -- Command Sgt. Maj. Asmahel, the command sgt maj of the IA's 12th Div, shares a laugh with Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels, command sgt maj of 1st BCT, 1st AR Div, at the 12th Div. compound in Kirkuk., Dec. 30.
Command Sgt. Maj. Asmahel holds up a tag with the 7 Army values written in Arabic. He received the gift from Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels, during a meeting the 2 held to set their goals for the 12th Div. for 2010.
WASHINGTON – Iraqi forces, working with U.S. advisors Jan. 4, searched a home for a suspected terrorist network leader who may have coordinated numerous attacks on both soldiers and civilians. Two suspects were arrested.
Also Jan. 4, Iraqi forces arrested a suspected al-Qaida explosives expert during an op conducted with U.S. advisors in southern Baghdad. The team searched a home for the suspect, who works directly for al-Qaida leadership to coordinate and carry out attacks in the Iraqi capital, and found circuitry, wiring, tools and triggers often used to make homemade bombs.
In Iraq’s Diyala prov. Jan. 3, the Baqubah ERB, working with U.S. forces, arrested a man suspected of kidnapping, intimidation and displacement of residents of Dhiyabah and Abu Sayda.Capt. Randy Sawyer, chaplain for the 2nd Bn, 300th FA, 115th Fires Bde, hands a box of sweets and snacks to an Iraqi child, in southern Iraq, Dec. 26, 2009. The 2-300th FA was inundated with care packages from their home cities with the Wyoming Army NG. After providing Soldiers with multiple boxes for the holidays, 40 remaining boxes were provided to Iraqi families. Address labels and greeting cards were removed from the boxes before being handed out.
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