WASHINGTON – U.S. forces have taken part in several important noncombat missions throughout Afghanistan in recent days, including meetings between residents and govt leaders, humanitarian outreach, construction training and transferring responsibilities to Afghans.
The Laghman ADT is supervising an ongoing construction project in Laghman prov. The Laghman team partnered with villagers, who are training to become carpenters, to construct a barn on the research and demo farm in Mehtar Lam village.
In addition to assisting local tradesmen, the Laghman development team and the Laghman PRT delivered school supplies, backpacks and toys to about 300 girls and 50 boys who live in the prov’s only orphanage. The children attend school, but don't receive the same support for education as regular schools across the prov.
"In recent weeks, you've seen hundreds of Marines in this area," said Lt. Col. Cal Worth, comm. officer of 1st Bn, 6th Marine Regt, which will arrive in the Shorshorak area in the coming weeks. "I'm here to bring a thousand Marines and hundreds of Afghan soldiers here to improve stability in this region. We'll form a team for long-lasting peace here. I look forward to serving you both here and in Marjeh."
"I encourage you to do this the right way and support us to rebuild a strong Afghanistan," said Zahir, district gov. of Marjeh, who led many of the conversations for the govt reps. "We want to make sure you keep your land. The Marines are here to help us. They're not only bringing safety and security, but they're helping with the roads, hospitals, mosques and schools." "Once the people are able to go see these completed govt projects, firsthand, after the meeting, I think that'll speak volumes to the positive impacts of future projects," said Lt. Col. Todd Finley, comm. officer of 3rd Bn, 10th Marine Regt, whose Marines helped organize the day's events. "It also helps build people's confidence in their govt." "There are a lot of good people here who'll work with Marines and the govt," said a man from Shorshorak, who has lived with more than 30 years of conflict. "We're happy they're building mosques and schools for our children to be engrs, doctors and teachers. We'll try to help the Marines here and in Marjeh in the future." -30-NANGARHAR PROVINCE -- Army Sgt. Benjamin Parker, an EOD team leader, and Spc. Chase Donnelly, a robotics operator, prepare their robot to inspect a suspected IED. The team successfully detonated the IED in place.
Spc. Christopher Reece, a National Guardsman from Kennesaw, Ga., with the 1st Sqdrn, 108th Cav Regt, TF Warrior, keeps a trained eye on the mountain ranges as coalition and Afghan security teams investigate an IED.
An IED is detonated in place by the 764th EOD, TF Mtn Warrior. The device was discovered by a construction crew working on a road.
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Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
Afghan Leaders and CF Unite to help Ghazi community
(Photos by Capt. Angela Webb)
A village elder representing, Slemanju from Andar district speaks with Gen. Sherzai, Ghazni Provincial police chief, during a shura held at the district center.
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DIVDS
Supplying COP Sarkari Bagh
(Photos by Staff Sgt. Christine Jones)
COP SARKARI BAGH -- A Chinook helicopter fires warning flares before dropping supplies.
A Chinook helicopter drops supplies at COP Sarkari Bagh, Arghandab River Valley, Jan. 9.
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DoD Imagery
(DoD photo by Sgt. Jennifer Cohen, Army)
An Army soldier from Apache troop, 3rd Sqdrn, 61st Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 4th ID signals the location of a rally point to the soldiers behind him, while on patrol in Naray, Jan. 4, 2010.
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DoD Imagery
(DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II, AF)
Army Spc. Kelly James, with 8th Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt, smiles from the air guard position of a Stryker armored vehicle in Taktehpol, Jan. 4, 2010.
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JOINT SECURITY STATION ISTIQLAAL -- Sgt. Charles Ray, an intel support team rep for Troop A, 1st Sqdrn, 7th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 1st Cav Div, photographs the head doctor at a local hospital for their records at JSS Istiqlaal, Dec. 10. The 1st Sqdn Soldiers are gathering and compiling vital info about their area of ops, to pass to the incoming unit.
2nd Lt. John Wilson, a plt leader, visits a water purifying system.
2nd Lt. Wilson, visits the cmdr of a local federal police unit to gather some missing infor for the units' continuity book.
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DVIDS
Leadership Visit Engineer Soldiers at COB Carver
(Photos by Staff Sgt. April Mota)
Command Sgt. Maj. Verna Henderson, of 16th Engr Bde, spends some time talking about the progress at COB Carver, with Sgt. 1st Class Theodore Blanford, NCO-in-charge at the project site.
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DVIDSKIRKUK -- Vice Pres. of the Rising Four Club, Senior Airman Robert Evans, 506th Expeditionary Op Support Sqdrn Airfield Mgt, hands out soccer balls and school supplies at Al-Harmezah Elementary School during Op Soccer Ball, Jan. 5, 2010. Evans is deployed from the 21st Op Support Sqdrn, Peterson AF Base, Colo.
Rising Four Club secretary, Senior Airman 1st Class Stasha Lenz, hands out soccer balls and school supplies. Lenz is deployed from the 18th Munitions Sqdrn, Kadena AB, Japan.
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DVIDS
Transporter Receives Battlefield Promotion
AL ASAD AIR BASE -- 1st Lt. Mark Alfers (left), the EO for the 47th Transportation Co, 751st CSSB, and 96th Sust Bde, and Staff Sgt. Carl Woolridge (right), commodity mgr and motor transport operator for the 47th TC, are pictured pausing for a photo opportunity immediately following Woolridge's promotion ceremony to staff sgt. According to Alfers, the battlefield promotion is a linchpin in Woolridge's drive and motivation to step up and reach beyond his already stellar leadership qualities. Under Woolridge's leadership as commodity mgr the unit recently pushed one of the largest convoys of supplies since they deployed.
1st Lt. Mark Alfers (left), EO, re-enlists Staff Sgt. Carl Woolridge (right). In addition to receiving his battlefield promotion, Woolridge re-enlisted days later in order to continue service to his country.
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