“We’ve also had great success clearing out the village of caches of weapons and IED’s, for the last couple of months,” Tipton added. "The Marines’ strong presence in the area make the people feel safer and more secure," explained Lance Cpl. Kyle Bachman, a mortarman. “We sincerely ask the people how their day has been, or if they have any plans,” said Bachman. “We also ask them if they like having us around, and they always say they’re thankful for what we do.”Outside the village, Marines stop at random roads, and set up vehicle check points to search for drugs or weapons. The Marines conduct night patrols to make sure that the people are safe, and to keep the Taliban out of the village.“We always have to keep the security tight, and keep our eyes constantly in our area of ops,” said Tipton, “because if the Taliban start doing whatever they want, then we lose everything we've accomplished.”
Implementing solar panelled electricity is a cost efficient option in this area. The panels are less expensive to purchase here than in the U.S., and the energy is renewable. Another feasible alternative is to use a generator to provide power for the schools, but with generators, fuel costs and maintenance issues become a problem.
Though easier in some ways, installing electricity in a prov. where many villagers still live by candlelight presents its own unique set of challenges. There are very few electricians here, and the contractors who don't already have electrical engrs on staff, are required to bring one in.
The electrical laborers get training from both the PRT engrs as well as the site supervisors. The most common issue is that the laborers are not used to running their wires through the wall, and instead, connect everything directly to the power source. They do not use panel boxes or breakers. “They’re not really thinking about the overall scheme of things,” said Toliver. “It’s very dangerous.”
Wiring of this kind can often cause fires or get people electrocuted. "Another struggle," Toliver explained, "is getting the workers to understand that specific wires can only handle a maximum amount of voltage."
Further challenges are teaching equipment maintenance, and the importance of regular upkeep. This was a valuable lesson learned the hard way at the Badad Kalay School, where the system ultimately failed because the school maintenance didn't know how to sustain the solar panels.
Though the engrs. are doing their part to help, they emphasize to the villages that the long term affects of these projects, like the future of Afghanistan, lies in the hands of the Afghan people. The hope is that in the end, the solar paneling techniques the laborers learn will not just illuminate children’s classrooms, but eventually shed light on a whole village.
“After fitting solar systems in these schools, the electrical workers will be able to fit these systems in the local sector, and utilize the sunlight for electricity, and earn more money this way,” said Safi.
In the Lahor Dag School, classes have already started in the building, with eager students sitting on the floor, even though the roof hasn't been finished. “The children are excited, and as the construction gets closer to being finished, it becomes more difficult to keep them away,” said Toliver. “They’re very hungry for knowledge.”
Soon the project will be complete, and 12 more schools are soon to follow. Yet as the engrs. continue to rotate in and out, this group will always know that they've left a light on for the children of Kunar.
Fifteen families were presented gift bags during the ceremony. Each time a widow or orphan came forward to receive their bag, the appreciation in their faces was shadowed with sadness. "As a police HQ, we've 750 fallen policemen whose blood has been shed to show the stability and security of Iraq, and to protect the citizens," Al-Shelby said. "We remember them all the time.""This has really been a great event bringing everyone together," Brooks said. "It gives us a sense of helping the Iraqi people, and I think it also lets the Iraqi people know that we're not just handing everything over to them, but that we also care about them personally after these tragedies happen. It's a great partnership between our units, the IP, and our families back home."
Although members of FUOPS and planners for the IGFC meet often, this meeting here at Al Faw Palace, was unique in that it included the senior planning leadership from the MOD, including Gen. Abboud Gunbar, the dep. chief of staff for ops. Lt. Gen. Majeed, cmdr of the IGF, was also on hand as Batchelor and his team advised them on fine-tuning the synchronization, and synergy of the planning process between the 2 orgs.“What we’re trying to do is to get them to see how we do it; how we take a very holistic approach. It’s not just one plan, one brief,” said Lt. Col. Michael Perkins, dep. chief of J35 FUOPS. “It’s plan a portion, brief the cmdr, get guidance, plan the next portion, brief the cmdr, get guidance,” he said.Perkins said they're also working to help the MoD improve their parallel planning with subordinate commands. “The major benefit is that when a plan turns into an order, everyone is already aware of it, and that makes execution a lot simpler,” he said, adding that it also gives subordinate units a chance to provide input, which helps the planners know that they're creating a plan that's feasible and suitable.“In 2005 we didn’t have that kind of responsibility, and now we're taking responsibility and are advancing our capabilities through training,” said Staff Brig. Gen. Husain, the dir. of planning and training for the IGFC.
Perkins has a very positive outlook on the future of Iraq’s military planning, and thought that the meeting was a success. “It codified that the process they’re using is very similar to ours, so they know that they’re doctrinally sound, as far as course-of-action development, and how a plan evolves,” he said. “It also showed them that bringing more people in as plans are developed, and sharing info, results in a solid operational plan.Perkins said the capability of the Iraqi military is not in question, citing their success in executing the security plan for the parliamentary elections in March. The major challenge now is in helping them develop consistency in their joint planning, as well as their ability to develop plans at a rate on par with the operational tempo they're facing.