Cool storage facilities allow Afghan farmers to properly store and maintain food longer than would be possible, if the food was stored at room temp. The facilities are built underground and take advantage of the naturally cooler temps underground.
Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, a project mgr., for the ADT, inspected the cool storage facility to assess how it was being used, and check for any damage due to the heavy snowfall. “The ADT plans to build more cool storage facilities,” said Payne. “The GoA’s plan is to have a cool storage facility located in each district, close to the local markets.” Another benefit of cool storage facilities is they give farmers a stronger voice in the price of their products. “The facilities show great promise for allowing Afghans to organize in a manner similar to a farmers’ cooperative,” said Payne. “Farmers in the U.S. have used co-ops to pool farmer resources and also sell agricultural products at a higher price than would be possible, if each individual farmer had to negotiate a price for his products.” Simultaneously, the ADT conducted a foot patrol to a local tree nursery. They inspected the nursery to see what the Afghans were doing well, and what areas they may need assistance in to improve growth of the saplings.Spc. Nathan Spencer, a crop specialist for the ADT, checked the condition of the saplings, and also made sure the nursery was being operated to the standards laid out in their contract. “The farmer planted apple, apricot and almond saplings,” said Spencer. “The variety will allow the Afghan to make sure that no single fungus or disease will take out his entire crop.” “The farmer hopes to sell the trees next year to orchards around the prov.,” said Suliman Ahmadzai. On the return trip from Ahmad Abad the ADT stopped to inspect some of the ongoing projects at a demo farm in Gardez. “The 2 main areas I wanted to see were the electrical and water projects,” said Payne. “The contractor still needs to install the waterline between the pump and water tank.” Afghan contractors worked through the winter to complete a variety of projects, allowing the farm to become a teaching aid for local farmers. “The contractor still has some work to be completed at the farm,” said Payne. “However, most of the work can be completed in time for the spring planting season.” Other recent projects include a classroom building, water storage facilities, a generator and storage building, and bathroom facilities. Future projects for the ADT include beekeeping, animal husbandry, and additional cool storage facilities, located across Paktya Prov. Sustainable farming methods such as cool storage facilities, tree nurseries and demo farms are crucial to Afghanistan, and the ADT works regularly to emphasize those themes on any agricultural project.When he’s not performing his duties as a communications specialist, he helps the SECFOR members on the team, by manning the guard tower, and riding in the convoys as an alternate M-240 gunner.
However, he considers his most important duty to be ensuring his teammates have their personal Internet. “Internet in Afghanistan is not as reliable as it is back home. I’ve had to do a lot of repairs to our personal Internet, to keep it performing at acceptable standards,” said Riedel. “He’s phenomenal,” said his supervisor, Navy Chief Petty Officer Jean Law. “He has no problem waking up in the middle of the night, to help people with Internet problems.” Law has worked with Riedel for 6 months, and said, "Riedel is really close to his family, and he takes it upon himself to make sure other people can stay close to theirs. Riedel knows the Internet also plays an important role on morale. “It’s hard being deployed, but with features like Skype and instant messaging, it eases the burden of being away,” said Riedel.“This is the first time in the 101st AD’s history that a battery has won this award,” said 1st Sgt. Stephen Hammonds, 1st sgt. for the btry. The award is based on specific criteria, and includes a narrative of the battery performance over a specific time period; in this case Oct. 2009 – Sept. 2010.
After deploying to Afghanistan in August, the btry trained on the M198 155mm howitzer. They now man these 3 howitzer systems at Paktika Prov., FOBs and COPs in support of TF Currahee ops and missions. “The Soldiers, NCOs, and officers of B Btry are the best trained, and most proficient men I've ever served with,” said Hammonds. “They get the job done no matter the circumstances, and continue to put the mission first.” In addition to the Knox Award, the battery ranks include a multitude of leadership awards including 4 Audie Murphy winners, a Red Newman winner, 4 St. Barbara’s Award winners, and selection as the Army unit on the cover of the Sept. 2010 Army Magazine.” The btry will be recognized at the Field Artillery Conference at Fort Sill, Okla., May 16-20.