Cooperation helps tackle Afghan province’s problems

Story and photo
By Spc. Jon Arguello
173d Brigade Public Affairs

In an effort to increase the confidence Afghans have in their central government, U.S. and Afghan representatives have planned extensive humanitarian aid projects aimed at improving the lives of the Afghan people.

   The 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne), or Task Force Fury, the first unit from the 173d Brigade (Airborne) to arrive in Afghanistan, immediately began delivering on the humanitarian aid portion of its mission in the Paktika province where the battalion is based, laying out an example of how to hit the ground running since its arrival in March.

   The projects, which range from direct aid, such as blankets and food, to full scale educational exchange programs and reforestation projects, are a combined effort between the United States Army and representatives of Paktika Governor Haji Mohammed Ghulab Mangel.

   “It’s clear that the people are in need, and the Paktika government officials have demonstrated that they have a sincere interest in helping the people in their province,” said Maj. Wayne Metz, 1-508th Inf (Abn) operations officer. “Part of our mission is to facilitate the ideas we come up with because the Afghan government is still growing in its logistical capabilities.”

   The goal of these cooperative efforts is to demonstrate that the government is focused on fulfilling the needs of the Afghan people and providing them with the security the country needs to grow into a prosperous democracy, according to Metz.

   Several displays of this cooperative goodwill have already taken place. Not two weeks after the change of responsibility for command and control of the Paktika province, TF Fury loaded two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters with six pallets of supplies. This aid was then delivered to three villages that had been cut off by snow and flood waters. “The Afghan leadership brought the needs of these people to our attention,” said Metz, who led the multi-village aid mission.

   “It’s our goal to extend the reach of the central government and there is no better way for the government to demonstrate that it cares for its people than to come to their aid when they are in need—in this case to ease the pain and suffering of these people stranded by the elements.”

   More long-term efforts include an educational exchange. The program, which was conceived by Capt. James Person, a Bravo Company, 1-508th Inf (Abn) officer, was received with great excitement by Paktika Education Minister Iqobal, who goes by one name.

   Iqobal said the program will help the young Afghan people get linked to the rest of the world, and he said programs like these are important for a country that respects human life and education.

   “The first phase of the program is an exchange of letters between students in the U.S. and here in Afghanistan,” said Person, Bravo Company, 1-508th Inf (Abn) fire support and information operations officer.

   “Volunteer Soldiers will also teach classes about American culture, and eventually we would like students to be able to travel and experience a full educational exchange.” The program is scheduled to begin in April, said Person.

   Another initiative in Paktika is a reforestation program. Over the past 30 years, the remaining forests in the Paktika province have been destroyed because of anarchy, occupying forces, and the needs of the population because of the extreme poverty in the region, said Person.

   “People cut down whatever assets they have for heat and whatever else when they are in dire need,” Person explained. “The forest is one of the first things to get destroyed. One of the goals of the program is to teach how important it is to have respect for the environment.”

   The deforestation has also caused serious top soil erosion, Person said. This erosion leads to lack of farming ability.

   But reforestation in Afghanistan will provide more than just shade, he continued. “The program will not only contribute to the health of the Afghan environment, it will bring jobs to the province.”

   Ten local Afghan citizens will be trained by a representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on how to operate the program. Those 10 Afghans will then supervise 19-man labor forces, thereby increasing the government’s self reliance.

   “It doesn’t take long to make a difference,” said Metz. “You just have to be aware of what their needs are, coordinate the effort with the government, and care enough to act quickly.”

   The speed with which the battalion has worked with the government to improve the lives of the Afghan people in Paktika province has solidified its relationship to key members of the central and local governments. The battalion’s efforts have also demonstrated to the Afghan people that their new government is not like its predecessor.

Maj. Wayne Metz, 1-508th Inf (Abn) operations officer, speaks with a village elder prior to handing over two pallets of humanitarian aid on behalf of coalition forces and the governor of the Paktika Province during a humanitarian aid drop