NANGARHAR PROVINCE – In addition to female reps from 22 of the 52 villages within Surkh Rod, the asst. director of the DOWA, asst. director of female youth, and the social worker for the director of youth, attended the assembly. “We want to get communication flowing between the districts and the provincial line directors,” said Maj. Patricia Poindexter, Nangarhar PRT, female engagement team (FET) leader, “and that’s exactly what happened here.”
"The DOWA ties directly into the Ministry of Women’s Affairs within Kabul," added Poindexter, who hails from Nevada. The DOWA can escalate concerns brought up during the shura, that can't be solved at the provincial level.
“A lot of what we discussed was education related,” said Sgt. Kristin Goehler, Nangarhar PRT FET member. “The DOWA was able to immediately identify education concerns. Having the DOWA there to have a dialogue with was huge. The DOWA made a commitment to the people.”
"The women desire education," added Goehler, a Wisc. native. One of the long-term goals of the DOWA, which is shared by members of the shura, is to educate and train women so they can potentially learn a trade, earn a living, and contribute to their households.
Members of the shura explained that efforts are being made to improve education. In many of the outlying areas, girls are unable to attend school for a variety of reasons. Many of the girls are unable to travel to the nearest schools, many of which are nearly 31 miles away.
Additionally, shura members spoke about how security concerns impact education. "Throughout Afghanistan many girls are targeted for trying to advance themselves," said Poindexter. Under the Taliban, women were not allowed to get an education. Although the regime has been largely ousted, some of the ideology remains.
Lastly, the women spoke of the lack of female secondary teachers, which is about 7 male teachers to every female teacher, yet girls make up nearly 50% of the population. "Although having male teachers for the girls may seem like a simple solution, such progressive thinking has cost such individuals their lives," added Poindexter. According to local experts, cases of violence against instructors has been an historical issue. As recently as May, a male head teacher in Logar Prov., just outside Kabul, was killed by Taliban insurgents after ignoring numerous threats urging him to stop teaching girls. Terrorists continue to target women."Despite the risk, the women donned their chadri, a garment that covers them entirely, and came to the shura," said Poindexter. Once inside, in the company of just women, they exposed their faces. However, upon leaving, the women disappeared anonymously under the veil of their chadri.
“It requires great courage for these women to come to events like this shura,” said Poindexter. “They risk being targeted with harassment and threats. Yet, this was the largest female shura that we've attended, which just shows how important these events are.”
Polish army Lt. Col. Rafal Miernik with U.S. Soldiers from TF White Eagle assess the ANA’s base building site in Waghez district, Sept. 17. (Photo by Polish army Maj. Szczepan Gluszczak , Task Force White Eagle Public Affairs)
From the beginning, Waghez District has been chosen by Polish troops as a key district, and they've a very strong commitment to its direction. According to the cmdr., the security situation has been significantly improved, since the previous year. Currently insurgent attacks have decrease, but are still present in the district.
One of the key elements that affect the permanent improvement of security in the region is the completion of a patrol base (PB), which will extend maneuverability of the ANA in Waghez. U.S. Army Col. Michael Peters, Ghazni ANP Stability Transition Team (STT) Chief, and Polish army Capt. Jacek Pietrasiak, 3rd Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team cmdr., met with the deputy cmdr. of the local police station. They talked about the most important tasks carried out by his subordinates. He pointed out the need for close cooperation with the local population, recognizing it as an important element to gain credibility and improve security in the region. "Throughout meetings with residents of Waghez, we can gain important info about the insurgent activities," said Afghan Police Capt. Kasem. During the meeting with Waghez sub-gov. Farooqi, reps of the Civil Military Cooperation (CMIC) Group, Texas ADT, Ghazni PRT, and the District Development Group focused mainly on discussing more ways to support development in Waghez."The main problem facing people of the district is less rainfall and snowfall, which strongly influenced the degradation of local agriculture,” said Polish Army Maj. Wolszczak, CIMIC cmdr. “Therefore, during talks with reps of ISAF forces, local officials applied for the construction of additional wells that will be used for irrigation." Important issues such as education, improving learning conditions, and the retrofitting of schools were also discussed in the meetings. Participants also discussed the opening of a district bazaar. The sub-gov. expressed his belief that after the completion of the ANA PB, safety will significantly increase in the vicinity of the marketplace, and people will be able to trade again.
Polish army Maj. Wolszczak, CIMIC cmdr., with U.S. Army ADT, and PRT reps met with Waghez authorities to talk about development of the region, Sept. 17.
17 Shia Mullahs from Ghazni City, Aleksandra Zamojska, cultural advisor from District Development Group (DDG), and TF White Eagle soldiers talk about security and development in Ghazni district, Sept. 18.
During the shura all the mullahs said that they don’t have many problems with security in Ghazni city, but the living conditions there is the most important issue for them. “We care about many poor families, about education, and about women problems, but sometimes we don’t have enough money to help all of them,” said mullah Maqdat. Other mullahs, from Nawabad and Kala-i Shada asked Polish soldiers for support in providing madrasas (religious schools) with pencils and notebooks for children. Approx 7,000 students attend shia madras.
Most importantly, the mullahs were interested in the challenges and opportunities of the reintegration program as well.To culminate the event mullahs, TF White Eagle soldiers, and 5th Police Post policemen shared a meal.
Mosque Chahardah Massom is located in the Nawabad quarter of Ghazni city. The mosque sponsors a year-long education for Hazara girls and boys.
TF White Eagle soldiers, mullahs and 5th Police Post policemen shared a meal.
Director for Development and Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy Kabul, Amb. Richard Olson, walks with sub-gov Akbar of Surkh Rod district, at the Surkh Rod district center, Sept. 22. The two, along with district leaders, discussed progress and development within the district, and highlighted the governor’s efforts to maintain stable governance.
"Many districts within Nangarhar rely heavily on CF for maintaining security; however, Surkh Rod preserves stability by fostering cooperation between the ANA and police," said Olson. “The security of this district and that of Afghanistan is in the hands of ANA, ANP – fundamentally it's in the hands of the people,” said Olson. “This district shows what can be done with hard work and cooperation.” In addition to speaking with district leaders, the ambassador also toured a clinic that is currently under construction, one of many projects that Surkh Rod has identified as a local priority necessary to the people.
“Due to the leadership of Gov. Akbar, Surkh Rod serves as an example of good governance,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Notter, Nangarhar PRT cmdr. “Our goal is that other districts will follow his example.”“I don’t have the words to express my appreciation to the ambassador and his delegation,” said Akbar. “We really appreciate him taking time from his busy schedule to visit the Surkh Rod district and listen to our problems.”
Jim Granitzki, a mechanical engr. at the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Field Assistance in Science and Technology Center (RFAST-C), uses the digital laser scanner to place a 3D image of the item in the computer system, allowing him to manipulate and modify the item for production, Sept. 24.
Today’s Soldiers use many variants of weapons, vehicles and peripheral devices, thanks in part to the speed at which new equipment is fielded. The team of specialists at the Bagram RFAST-C minimize the time it takes for solutions to equipment problems to get back out to the Soldier, and they can manufacture the equipment right here in theatre.
“Soldiers go out with units that have those pieces of equipment and find out the good, bad and indifferent about those items,” said Sgt. Maj. Matthew DeLay, the NCO-in-charge of RFAST-C. The RFAST-C specialists take the feedback from the Soldiers in the field and can immediately start troubleshooting problems, implementing suggestions for improvement and manufacturing new parts for the equipment. “By having both the engrs. and techs in the field, we're able to produce the products onsite and prototype them,” said Granitzki, a mechanical engr. for RDECOM. "The advantage of this is speed.” In order to support the warfighter on the ground, RDECOM brought together the brightest minds and according to Granitzki, allowing the “ten-pound brain types,” do what they do best - solve problems. “About 80% of the things the Army uses came through RDECOM,” said De Lay.
Jim Granitzki uses the digital laser scanner to place a 3D image of the item in the computer system, allowing him to manipulate and modify the item, before the production stage.
George Van Why, an engr. tech., uses the hand grinder at the RFAST-C shop.
Keith Sheridan, a mechanical engr. tech., dons protective gear before going to the welding station.
Sgt. Maj. Matthew DeLay looks around the new site, Sept. 24, which is scheduled to open late Oct.
South
KANDAHAR PROVINCE -- A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor patrol detained several insurgents and seized a narcotics cache, during an op in Maiwand district, Sept. 28. The op seized 1,764-lbs (800 kgs) of dry opium.----- A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained 2 Taliban leaders, during a security op in Ghorak district, yesterday. One captured leader provided guidance in attack planning and coordinated roadside bomb attacks with area leaders, as well as reported to senior Taliban leadership, following organized attacks against Afghan forces. The second insurgent leader operated as a Taliban appointed judge in Ghorak district. The combined force seized multiple weapons and destroyed 400-lbs (181 kgs) of heroin. Additionally, multiple suspected insurgents were also detained.
HELMAND PROVINCE -- In Baghran district, yesterday, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor patrol seized a narcotics cache during an op. The op seized 1,424 gallons (5,391 liters) of morphine solution, 6,085-lbs (2,760 kgs) of sodium carbonate, 4,762-lbs (2,160 kgs) of ammonium chloride, 3 drug presses, and 75 55-gallon (208 litres) barrels, a tractor, and 3 motorcycles. EastKAPISA PROVINCE – A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor patrol killed an insurgent leader during an op in Mahmud-e Raqi district, Sept. 28. The insurgent leader was killed while engaging Afghan and CF with small arms fire.
The insurgent leader is a known facilitator of IEDs, and is directly responsible for supplying lethal aid used in attacks against ANSF and CF. The op seized a high explosive grenade, an AK-47, 4 RPGs, 2 anti-personnel mines, and a quantity of small arms.
----- In Muhhamad Aghah district, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor conducted a security op in search of a Taliban leader, yesterday. The leader coordinates and conducts attacks against Afghan govt officials, as well as plans car bomb attacks in the region. The SecFor also detained a suspected insurgent.
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AF 1st Lt. Holly Bigelow, 467th Expeditionary Prime BEEF facility team engr., left; Staff Sgt. Christopher Morian, middle, 389th Engr. Co Electrician (ECE), and 2 soldiers, set up concertina wire to protect a refurbished building on Ali Base, Aug. 31, 2011. Bigelow is deployed from Vandenberg AF Base, Calif., and is from N.Y. Morian is deployed from Middletown Reserve Center, Iowa, and is from Iowa. (Photos by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)
ALI BASE - In today’s joint operating environment, many service members from different military branches are unified to complete a mission. The 467th combines AF airmen and Army soldiers to build facilities and structures needed throughout the entire Iraq Joint Ops Area (IJOA).
“I can take my AF assets, mix them with Army assets, and get to whatever job that needs to be done across the IJOA in a relatively short amount of time,” said Lt. Col. Larry Harris, 467th EPBS cmdr., who's deployed from Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. “There’s no job we can’t complete.”“We’ve learned valuable lessons placing our AF and Army engrs. in the same buildings and shops, giving them the same assets to do the job,” said Harris, who is from N.C. Working as a team, each unit has its role in accomplishing the mission. The airmen, who primarily make up the facility engineering teams, are traditional engrs. and specialists, who complete initial surveys and design work. Once a plan is drawn up, the design is handed to the Army to complete the build.“You learn a different culture working with the Army,” said Master Sgt. Herman Ybarra, 467th EPBS water and fuel systems maintenance lead, deployed from Vandenberg AF Base, Calif. “We’ve taught each other to buy into the process of a job, and take charge of it. We’re highly mobile experts in our career field and what we’re able to do is really impressive.”Currently, the 467th EPBS has teams covering 18 different locations across Iraq, performing duties such as developing base master plans, perimeter surveys, physical security upgrades, and constructing living quarters. “A lot of what we’re doing is building new construction and that’s an engr’s dream,” Harris said. “Unfortunately, as the mission keeps changing we have to change the sqdn.”Recent changes include providing assistance with equipment removal from the IJOA. “We’re moving 9 years of stuff through Ali Base,” said Master Sgt. Tracy Johnston, 467th EPBS facility engr. team NCO-in-charge, who is deployed from Dover AF Base, Del. “It’s incredible to see all the trucks loaded and heading out. It’s really historic.”So far, there hasn’t been a task the unit has failed to complete. Harris feels that his team will continue to excel. “When you put AF engrs., and their special skills, together with a group of Army engrs. who bring their everyday skills into the fight, you’re talking about a real powerhouse team,” Harris said. “When you find the right mixture, you’re going to continue to build upon it and get the mission done.”
Staff Sgt. Matt Tones, 389th Engr. Bde, performs carpentry work on a guard shack at Ali Base, Aug. 31, 2011. Airmen and soldiers work closely together to help transition equipment and buildings to Iraqi govt. Tones is deployed from Middletown Reserve Center in Middletown, Iowa, and is from Iowa.
Senior Airman Julian Alberni, 467th engineering journeyman, discusses building designs with 1st Lt. Nicholas Lopez, 467th EPBS project mgr. Alberni is deployed from Dyess AF Base, Texas, and is from Calif. Lopez is deployed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., and is from Calif.
Capt. David Welch, 321st Expeditionary Medical Sqdn. pharmacist, fills a prescription, Sept. 9, 2011, at Kirkuk Regional Air Base. Welch left his job as a retail pharmacist at Revco to serve in the AF.
KIRKUK -- In 2001, David Welch was a retail pharmacist. He had a 6-figure salary, a new Jeep Wrangler 4X4, and a big house in a coastal town of N.C. Along with a wife and young daughter, he had everything a man could want. He still felt something was missing.
Then his country was attacked and everything changed. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, and with the support of his family, Welch made a life changing decision that filled the hole in his life. Welch left his hard work behind and became Capt. David Welch, an AF pharmacist, and serving the country he loves.Welch had wanted to join the military for many years. Upon graduating from pharmacy school at Campbell University in 1997, he entered an AF recruiting office. However, he had more than $80,000 in student loans to pay off and the AF wasn’t looking for pharmacists at the time. “I was confused,” said Welch, a Fla. native deployed from Eglin AF Base, Fla. “I was disappointed that my country didn’t need me.” Then came the events of 9/11. While visiting family in N.C., Welch had just walked into a local restaurant when he felt his 2-year-old daughter, Maddison, tug at his sleeve and point to a TV. “Daddy, are those people getting hurt?” she asked. “I looked up to see the horrible attack on our country unfold,” Welch replied. Like many Americans that day, Welch said he felt shock, horror and hurt, as he stared at the TV screen. Welch immediately began to re-evaluate his priorities. Until then he had lived comfortably. Each day, he would coast through the day with little satisfaction. His mission was focused on how much money he could make, instead of what he could make of himself. Seemingly motivated by former President John F. Kennedy’s 1960 inauguration speech, Welch asked “…not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”“I couldn't stand by while the U.S. waged a war on terror,” said Welch. “I couldn’t simply just go to work and come home to my nice cozy house. I love my family and our citizens, and wanted to do more to protect them.” He wanted to go to a recruiter’s office immediately. However, he remembered that the AF didn’t have much need for pharmacists. He was also unsure of the support he would receive from his family.In 2007, while sitting in his Jeep with his wife Anna, he received the confirmation he desired for so long. “Go on and do what you’ve wanted to do for 10 years,” his wife said. With those words of support, Welch entered a recruiter’s office once again, and finally began his career in the AF.“She’s much happier with her ‘warrior’ doing what he feels called to do,” Welch said of his wife. “My wife actually encouraged me to volunteer for this current deployment to Iraq. It’s impressive when you consider that it left her with our 4 kids to take care of all by herself.”At Kirkuk, Welch fills more than 1,000 prescriptions each month, as the base’s only pharmacist. Wearing many hats, he also assists with ops and is the diagnostic and therapeutic flight cmdr.-in-charge of radiology, pharmacy, and the blood lab. Although he gave up a relaxing life in 2007, Welch said the sense of pride and fulfillment has meant much more than the material goods he once lived for. “The complacency I was lulled into, coasting on the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears of our parents and grandparents, has been replaced by conviction,” Welch said. “Freedom is not free, and I get that now.”
Capt. David Welch, 321st Expeditionary Medical Squadron pharmacist, carries IV bags.
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