Army Maj. Bobby Mayes, women’s empowerment coordinator with the Kentucky ADT; and Army Sgt.1st Class Maureen Houston, a Female Engagement Team member with the 86th IBCT, meet with Zareen Saleha, the Dep. Dir. of Women’s Affairs for the Parwan Director of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL), Sept. 28. The women review scrolls and charts to be distributed and used to educate Afghan women. The charts illustrate how women can keep themselves and family members healthy, and describe good family practices.
“The training is important to the success of this project,” said Army Maj. Bobby Mayes. “In the past with similar projects, the chickens have been too young and have not survived.”
"These projects that are intended for women look very promising; they are well thought out and well planned,” said Sgt. 1st Class Maureen Houston, a Female Engagement Team member with the 86th IBCT.
Mayes is presenting the same projects to the Kapisa DOWA, with the hopes that the Parwan and Kapisa DOWA can work together to ensure both of their provs. are successful with these projects.
Maj. Bobby Mayes and Sgt.1st Class Maureen Houston meet with Zareen Saleha to discuss chicken farming and beekeeping.
-30-
Zargul, land reform dir. for the Sarkani District of Kunar Prov., listens during a meeting with members of the Iowa NG's 734th ADT at the Sarkani District Center, Sept. 29. Zargul made a plea for the ADT to help reconstruct the fabric of Afghan society, during a visit to a nearby proposed demo farm site, shortly after the meeting.
“We need reconstruction assistance of everything equally in Afghanistan,” Zargul answered. “After the revolution and during the war, basic things like agriculture, education, military and culture were destroyed. We need help with all of them, and will be happy to get whatever help the ADT is willing to give.”
Zargul requested assistance, not just from the ADT, but from int'l nongovernmental agencies as well. He also noted the relatively short duration, by Afghan standards, of ADT deployments. “A previous ADT came and shared their opinions with us and started various projects, but because their time here was short, they did not complete them and they left,” Zargul said. “We were pleased that they sent some people to train us on how to store the hay and alfalfa for our animals.”AF Chief Master Sgt. Don Kuehl, led the Iowa ADT’s mission to the Sarkani District. He acknowledged Zargul’s concerns, and pointed out that the ADT is developing an internship program, modeled on one pioneered by the Kansas ADT II, which is stationed in Laghman Prov. Kuehl said that they hope to train interns who will then train the Afghans. “Our goal is that the Afghan people can operate these demo farms by themselves,” he said.Kuehl emphasized the importance of implementing agricultural projects that future ADTs in Kunar Prov. could carry forward. According to Kuehl, however, the Iowa ADT plans to launch initiatives that will be implemented by Afghan agricultural officials. “What we're going to do is try to put an Afghan face on these projects, so it's not a U.S. govt or CF project,” Kuehl said. Kuehl did not dispute Zargul’s overall needs assessment for Sarkani District. He explained, however, that many of the needs Zargul described are beyond the scope of the ADT’s mission. “We’re here to help the Afghan govt provide better agricultural services to their people,” Kuehl said. “That’s our area of expertise, and that’s where our focus has got to be.”
AF Chief Master Sgt. Don Kuehl, a soils specialist for the Iowa NG's 734th ADT, meets with agricultural officials and farmers, at a potential demo farm site.
Army Soldiers with 1st Plt, Co A, 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Regt, TF Spartan, help Afghan Border Police load blast wall barriers onto the back of an ABP vehicle, Sept. 27. The platoon jointly occupied the ABP outpost in the Goshta District, in order to conduct defensive ops, and perform security improvements to the outpost.
“There are no good routes to get to the population,” said Army Capt. Steven Carmichael, company cmdr with Co D. “The districts are spread out. Often, this requires longer patrols and more overnight stays.”
After driving as far as they could with the vehicles, the platoon dismounted and trekked the remaining distance on foot, humping all their equipment, including mortar tubes, rounds, food and water up a steep mountain trail. At the outpost, the Soldiers relentlessly attacked the hard ground with pick axes and shovels, in order to fill the blast wall barriers with dirt and rocks.
When dusk approached, the men grabbed a bit of chow, and then prepared for the cool, windy night atop the mountain. Soldiers not on guard duty wrapped themselves in poncho liners, sleeping bags, and anything else that could be used to shield themselves from the wind.
At the crack of dawn, they ate MREs in shifts, before continuing on with their outpost fortification. After a few hours of side-by-side work with the ABP, the men packed their gear, headed back down the mountain, and began their trip toward home base.
Twice on the return trip, the large MRAP vehicles were stuck. The Soldiers took action quickly by dismounting, hooking up tow bars and pulling or pushing the vehicles free.
After finally arriving home, tired from the journey and limited sleep, the Soldiers still managed to participate in physical training, and eat a hot meal before finally getting some much-needed rest.
The missions may be long, bumpy and dangerous, but each time the Soldiers go out, they remind themselves of the importance of what they do and why they do it. “We're trying to ensure that the GoA is represented up there, and that the people see us, the ANA, the ABP and the ANP working together,” said Carmichael.
1st Lt. Dan Konopa, a platoon leader, directs his Soldiers, while Spc. Jeremy Tetrick, a forward observer, provides security. Both men are with 1st Plt, Co D.
Pfc. Timothy Jones, a rifleman with 1st platoon, Co D, secures concertina wire.
Staff Sgt. Rashad Lewis, a squad leader with 2nd Plt, Co D, directs his soldiers as they hook up a tow bar, to free a stuck MRAP vehicle.
PAKTIKA PROVINCE — A member of the Sharana Hospital volleyball team prepares to serve the ball to a team of CF at FOB Rushmore, Oct. 2. CF, including the Paktika PRT, and provincial govt leaders co-hosted an afternoon of games, entertainment and refreshments, in an effort to strengthen and build relationships, between CF and provincial GoA officials. Qharbghi, a nationally-known Afghan singer, performed at the event, attended by approximately 100.
While spectators from provincial govt and CF watch, members of the Sharana Hospital volleyball team play a friendly match against CF units.
Paktika Gov. Samim (center, in brown vest) and several other provincial officials observe a volleyball match in progress.
*Journalist’s Note: The info contained in this article is derived from the ISAF’s Reintegration Guide.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD – The GoA recently launched the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program, Oct. 5. The goal is to reconnect members of the insurgency with Afghan communities and GoA through social outreach, economic programs, and community development projects.
The program offers antigovernment combatants full recognition of their rights as Afghan citizens, a dignified way to renounce violence, and avenues to peacefully reintegrate into their communities.
The program is available to all persons and communities willing to live in peace and abide by the laws of Afghanistan. "The GoA is trying to move to a post-conflict environment, where they want former insurgents to stop fighting, go back to their communities, and support the national govt," said Marine Maj. Brent Stricker, Rule of Law Chief for RC-East.
The lion's share of the work preparing Camp Bucca for the turnover is being done by the Bucca Base Closure Assistance Team, or BCAT. "Working with the engrs and logistics shop, BCAT answers the questions military and civilian contractors may have in regards to accountability, equipment and infrastructure," said Tony Cameron, BCAT team leader.
"So many things go on at the same time," Cameron said. Accountability and movement of troops and civilians have to be initiated, base environmental specialists have to conduct an initial, preliminary, and final stage planning process. A thorough inventory from both military and civilian contractors will take place, and the reduction of services such as laundry, internet, and food have to be considered. "There's a lot of planning that goes into closing a base that most people wouldn't think about," he said.
"The closure is at a critical part of the process," Cameron said, "but the U.S. has left a footprint, educated their Iraqi counterparts, and left points of contact for when the Americans have left."
"I give a lot of credit to BCAT, especially to Tony 'Tank' Cameron," Ruston said. "He's a civilian, but has green all through him. He's dedicated and wants to see this mission through."
"We're thankful to be here and assist the military," said Cameron. "I lost a lot of my troops over here during active duty, so every time I get to close a base I get to give a little bit back to them, so it makes something out of what we're doing."
