“We conduct winter needs assessments,” said 1st Lt. Anthony Perrizo, the EO. “We find out what villages need, and maybe build wells or other things, so we've a relationship for when spring comes and insurgent activities increase.” This patrol has other significance too. “We wanted to go out there to access the routes and village activity, because we haven’t been there yet,” said Perrizo.
Dobanday, a remote location, is one village that patrols haven’t ventured to until now. “We're trying to see if the enemy is bringing weapons in through the area,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Smithers, a horizontal construction engr. “We were scouting out what viable routes there are to access the area.”
After traveling miles up a harsh riverbed, the patrol completed its assessments. “This is the farthest we've traveled into the area, and the route seems pretty assessable, depending on the water level,” said Smithers.
"CF in Nangarhar have recently begun stressing the importance of ops and maintenance budgets to GoA," said AF Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, Nangarhar PRT cmdr. Today’s meeting represented a positive step towards them embracing that mentality.
Ishaqzai listed a number of areas the govt controls that have fallen into disrepair, including roads, parks, schools, courthouses and clinics. “We need to start improvements ourselves,” he said. “We need to take practical steps, or this country will go nowhere.” The Provincial Council (PC) rep at the meeting, Lal Durni, echoed Ishaqzai’s words, asserting that the council was equally disappointed with the current state of affairs.
Ishaqzai stressed to the council that by not treating their facilities with respect, the govt as a whole was failing the citizens of Afghanistan. “This govt was earned with the blood of the people,” said Ishaqzai. “We cannot waste that.”
“The Americans are kind and generous,” Rahim said. “And, just as they helped Japan, they will help the Afghan people.”
Abdul Qahar, the dep. dir. of education, affirmed the importance education plays in the future of Afghanistan, during his remarks. “Education is the key to peace and security,” he said. "Now, with this new school, 1,080 of Khas Kunar’s more than 6,000 students will have a clean, well-constructed, solar-powered building to house them, while they pursue their studies," he said.
“This school was built by Afghans; it will be attended by Afghans, and it will be protected by Afghans,” said Navy Cmdr. Brian Goss, Kunar PRT cmdr. “Every day Afghanistan is getting stronger,” he continued. “As long as we're here, we'll continue to help you work toward a brighter future.”
Gov. Wahidi, staunch education supporter, was pleased with the progress being made for education in Kunar. “The Afghan people, after 30 years of war, are putting down their guns, and picking up pens and books,” he said.
However, the most encouraging words spoken that day were delivered in song by 4 Afghan boys, who will attend classes at the new school. “We have love in our hearts and strength in our arms,” they sang, “and we will strive for a better tomorrow.”
CAMP LEATHERNECK - During the op, CF set up blocking positions so that 3rd Bn., 9th Marines, India Co., could set up a new patrol base (PB) in the area. Kilo Co. also conducted clearing ops, and retrieved contraband from different compounds in their area of ops.
“We interdicted enemy forces that would come from the north, to allow India Co to set up a new PB in the area,” said 2nd Lt. Edward Ferguson, the 1st plt. cmdr. Ferguson also said that the op was launched to counter any spring offensive the Taliban might be planning in the following weeks.
“The op was important because spring is coming around, so we know that the Taliban are going to be coming back,” said Lance Cpl. Curtis George, a team leader.
Ferguson said that during the op they were able to communicate with local Afghans, which provided valuable feedback on their feelings about the op. “They're always happy to see that we put their forces out front. They know that we’re there to support them, and not the other way around,” said Ferguson. “The long term goals are to let the local nationals know that we’re here to support their forces, and keep the enemy from working in this area.”
"Jirgas, a Pashto concept similar to shuras, are a traditional Afghan means of conflict resolution," said Shane Kelbley, Nangarhar PRT senior rule of law advisor. They involve both sides of an argument, coming together and discussing their issues, before a select committee of elders. While Kuz Kunar has a functioning justice system, it is common for disputes to be resolved by jirgas, rather than official courts.
"Some of the cases heard by the district’s ASOP shura have involved serious issues, and could have created bloodshed if not addressed by the jirga," said Sitar. "One notable case was over a land dispute, a pivotal issue for Afghanistan’s largely agriculture-based society," he continued. "Two families in a Kuz Kunar village had a feud over where their property line was drawn. One of the families left the village, and went to a nearby mountainside to arm themselves in preparation to attack their rivals."
“We and the district gov. found out about it,” Sitar said. “We thought if we were to hand the case over to the formal judicial system, it would take too long to resolve. We thought a jirga would be the quickest, easiest way to resolve the issue. The jirga got involved, and was able to convince the people to come down off the mountain and talk. We created a safe environment, and talked and talked and talked. Now both families live in peace. Now, everybody’s happy, and there are no hard feelings.”
"The PRT has recently taken an interest in helping Kuz Kunar’s development along", said AF Lt. Col. Michael Anderson. “When we go to some of the other districts in Nangarhar, we spend all of our time trying to help them resolve their disputes,” Anderson said. “With Kuz Kunar, they’ve already got the processes in place necessary to mediate disagreements. Because of this, we’re able to focus on strategic planning, and budgeting with them. With their advanced state of governance, they’ll start getting schools, clinics and other services out to their constituents, consolidating the stability they’ve already achieved, and constantly improving conditions in their district.”
“We are an OCCR. We work in the region to coordinate ops,” said Maj. Jason Cole, OCCR logistics officer. “Trained PAOs are critical to our mission. The local populace must be aware of the ops we conduct in their behalf.” The PAAT-E has been busy training security agencies like the OCCR to communicate with the public. In addition to training, they're also revamping training plans, and advising Afghan security agencies throughout the region.
"If training and mentoring is, in fact, the cornerstone of NATO policy, then the near future looks bright for ANSF,” said Paul McKellips, PAAT-E officer-in-charge, and DoD civilian. McKellips found a receptive audience within the ANSF. “Their desire and thirst to learn more, and apply it, is very heart warming,” said McKellips. “The Afghans are generous and warm. A little hand holding now will pay huge dividends later for both Afghanistan, and the rest of the world." McKellips is a film maker by trade. He hopes to teach public affairs to ANSF in a manner that allows them to “tell the story of Afghanistan.”
“Stories are the backbone of every emerging society. Our mission is to train, mentor and empower PAOs equipped to tell the stories of the ANA, police and border police, with integrity and professionalism,” said McKellips. “Well-trained PAOs are front-line advocates in building strong community relations."
The mission of the PAAT-E differs from other public affairs units in Afghanistan, because they focus solely on the training mission - freeing other units to conduct operational public affairs. "We're delivering a PAO immersion course that's 50% training and 50% mentoring,” said McKellips. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our new friends in this NTM-A mission, but more often we stand amazed, amazed as stories of peace, freedom, national pride and hope, emerge in front of our eyes."
McKellips said the efforts he’s seen from the students is impressive. “I've been absolutely amazed by both the eagerness of the Afghans to learn PAO duties, as well as the dedication and passion of these NCOs from the Army and the AF to teach,” said McKellips. “When the ANSF PAOs start to tell their stories, and connect with the people, the population will have confidence and assurance that they're safety and security is guaranteed by the Army, police and border patrol."
More than just passing out sacks from the back of a truck, this mission required complex planning, not only to ensure that every family that needed assistance received it, but that everyone, including the soldiers and police officers, were safe throughout the entire op.
Lowery said that many of the aid recipients at the IDP camp are in truly dire straits. “The people there are very poor, and have been away from their homes for years,” he said. “Many of them don't have jobs, and must scrape together the money needed to buy the meager food supplies available with the use of their ration cards.”
The poorest Iraqi citizens are issued a ration card by the govt, which provides a subsidy for basic food rations of rice, sugar, cooking oil, powdered milk, and formula. "Families still have to pay the equivalent of about $40 per month for the minimum amount of food to survive," Lowery said. Many children of the camp spend much of their time looking for pieces of scrap to sell, or edible food to bring back to their family.
As a way to stem that, the ISF brought food certified as halal, or permissible according to Islam. "The bags included flour, beans, rice, sugar, tea, and some meat, and included enough to sustain a family of 4 for a week," Lowery said. For many, it's a week the family could devote to helping themselves get back on their feet.
The mission wasn't without difficulties or dangers. About an hour into the assistance mission, a roadside bomb exploded nearby. Many at the camp were startled and young children started crying, but the ISF reacted instantly. The words over the IP vehicle’s PA system asked the crowd to stay calm and sit down in place, and that the ISF would provide security.
A few minutes after the blast, IA soldiers reported they had the site of the explosion secured, and no one had been harmed. Once that had happened, the ISF went back to the mission of distributing the humanitarian assistance. Within a few minutes, all the excitement was forgotten, and the focus once again returned to distributing aid.
“I’m ready for this,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Parham, a team leader. “I've been working out every morning with my soldiers on our run time and distance. For some of my soldiers, their goal is to finish this race, and use this as a foundational piece to continue improving throughout our deployment.”
While many of the participants see improvements in their time, almost everyone sees significant improvement in their stamina and health, by participating in MWR runs. Winter in Iraq can be one of the more pleasant times of year, temp-wise, and has contributed to the recent increase in participation in the runs and, for some, a renewed focus on unit team-building through physical training.
“It’s great to have all the Soldiers present for something like this,” said Sfc. Wesley Smalls, the plt. sgt. “These runs build cohesion among the soldiers and encourage them to continue with their goals of physical fitness.”
Almost all of the units at FOB Prosperity participate, including elements from the Idaho Army NG, and service members from the AF, Navy and Marine Corps.
While almost all of the participants enter the runs with varying fitness goals, one element is uniform throughout: competitiveness. These are not fun runs; they're races. However, in a race between co-workers and battle buddies, there are plenty of people providing encouragement to those taking part.
“The 5-K runs are very competitive and motivating—it makes you try harder, because there are a lot of people watching,” said Pfc. Jason Collins. “You want to make your unit look good, so I want to finish strong. I can’t wait to do this again with my battle buddies,” Collins said.