Shokrieh Vali, (right) Ghazni province Director of Women’s Affairs, speaks to other members from the Ghazni Provincial Development Council about projects for the future 2013 Center for Islamic Culture event, June 20. The Ghazni PRT attended the meeting to learn the PDC’s project priorities, and explain which projects they were funding.
The gov’s last request was for an airport, a task not taken lightly, because it would require a trained aviation staff. The airport was an idea to prepare for the 2013 Center for Islamic Culture that Ghazni City was selected to hold earlier in 2007. The city is busy trying to renovate historical landmarks, and prepare for visitors from around the world. Time is nearing, and the Gov. has already started cleaning the city for the upcoming event.
The gov. and his staff have started a program to improve cleanliness in several areas, including hotels, barbershops and butcher shops, and he's discouraged people from disposing their waste in the streets. Besides cleanliness, the governor’s other priority is security. In fact, he has encouraged Ghazni citizens to shun the insurgents and provide zero assistance to them. He warned them that the presence of insurgents is hurting their cause to improve Ghazni prov. The Ghazni PRT Cmdr, Navy Cmdr. Philip Kapusta, assured the council that the PRT makes its contractors adhere to their building regulations. “We certainly want to do good quality projects,” Kapusta said. “It doesn’t do us any good to have our name associated with poor quality projects.”
Left to right, Navy Master Chief Petty Officer John Goebel, Ghazni PRT engr, and Navy Lt. Stefan Yesko, Ghazni PRT chief engr, take part in the Provincial Development Council’s meeting. Yesko informed the Gov., and the PDC members about the current projects funded by the PRT, as well as introduced upcoming projects that his team has received.
A Khost PRT interpreter explains how to power up the rescue saw. The Khost firefighting team was given familiarization training on the saw, and then practiced how to cut through a metal pipe.
Army Cpl. Robert Frayvolt, Khost PRT infantryman, instructs Afghan firefighters. Cpl. Frayvolt has been a volunteer fireman for 6 years at Station 41 in Derry, Pa.
Key leaders of the Paktika Provincial govt attended a tribal affairs meeting sponsored by both Provincial Gov. Samim, and the Zahir Katawazay dir. of tribal affairs, in Sharana, June 20. The general theme of the meeting was that all Afghans must work together for the greater good of Paktika Prov. and Afghanistan.
Others in attendance spoke about security challenges, as well as the obstacles insurgents place in the way of progress in Paktika, such as denying children access to formal education.
“The Koran says to educate boys and girls, yet the Taliban burn schools,” said Paktika Prov. Education Dir. Ehsan Ullah. “They don’t know the Koran or Mohammed.”
Polish Army Gen. Przekwas, TF White Eagle cmdr, invites Poland’s interim president, Bronisław Komorowski, to dine at FOB Ghazni, June 21. During the lunch, the interim president and other top Polish officials ate lunch with the troops, and enjoyed a group conversation. (Photos by Polish Combat Camera Adam Roik)
Poland currently has more than 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, the 7th largest contingent in the NATO-led force, up from 1,600 in the previous year.
By Sgt 1st Class Steven Johnson
Sgt. Nathan Lehman, 250th Engrs, Multi-Role Bridge Co, Conn. Army NG, works on constructing a Mabey Johnson Panel Bridge across the Tigris River near Salman Pak, June 2.
Taylor explained that the bridge is important in this location, because the only other way for residents to get to the town of Salman Pak is to take a 3-hour detour to the next crossing.
“The Salman Pak area has really grown as far as farms and commerce,” Taylor said. “Having this bridge in place allows the residents and farmers on this shore to take their produce to town, sell their product and purchase the things that they need.”Pfc. Andrea Reynolds, an equipment operator with the engrs, said she is proud of the work she and her unit are doing. “It’s amazing, watching everyone and seeing what they can do,” said Reynolds. “I've never seen anything like this. Watching everyone work together to make something that is going to make the local population have a better life is really rewarding.”Members of the IA who worked with the engrs were also impressed by the speed of the project. “They keep working; night and day, they just keep going,” said IA Pvt. Najem.“I'm very amazed with how the U.S. Soldiers are constructing the bridge, and how they're doing it so fast,” said IA Pvt. Kareemn, an IA engr. “There must be no better way to build a bridge.”