Photo By Master Sgt. Tracy DeMarco | An Italian CH-47C Chinook helicopter transports the Farah Provincial Reconstruction...... read more read more
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FARAH, Afghanistan — Provincial Reconstruction Team commanders and representatives from across Afghanistan's Regional Command West met at Camp Arena, Herat, Dec. 17, to discuss their progress and to share ideas about how to enhance security, reconstruction, capacity development, and governance in their respective provinces.
The conference not only brought together the commanders and representatives from Farah, Changhcharan, Herat and Badghis PRT's, but also gave them an opportunity to discuss firsthand their specific concerns and innovations with the commander of RC-West, Italian Brig. Gen. Alessandro Veltri.
"Today is a very important day for RC-West and for our PRT's," said Gen. Veltri. "This conference will help us brainstorm new and progressive ways to bolster the reconstruction and overall situation of Afghanistan. We will synergize our efforts and focus on realistic and practical projects to best accomplish our reconstruction mission within our area of responsibility."
RC-West coordinates all regional civil-military activities conducted by the military elements of the PRT's in their respective provinces, which are under control of the International Security Assistance Force. ISAF provides direct support to reconstruction and development projects through the four PRT's in RC-West, which are all led by different nations, including Italy, the United States, Spain and Lithuania.
Every effort is made to ensure that projects promoted or supported by the PRT's are carried out within the context of existing development programs. Projects are planned in close consultation with provincial government and civilian international community partners, who together aim to support the priorities laid down in the Afghan National Development Strategy.
"Our PRT is utilized as the main avenue for support and development in our province," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Lawrence Vasquez, commander of Farah PRT. "We have good relations with the provincial government and are focused on three basic but vital reconstruction projects for the people of Farah— roads, water, and electricity."
Following reports from each PRT, Gen. Veltri shared his optimism concerning the reconstruction mission ahead.
"The PRT's are the bright side of the coin as far as operations in Afghanistan in my opinion," said Gen. Veltri. "It's not just about what we give to the Afghan people; it's about what we receive back — their confidence. And this will be a never ending good story if we are successful."
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2009 01:42 |
| Story ID: | 43270 |
| Location: | FARAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 322 |
| Downloads: | 248 |
This work, Provincial Reconstruction Team Commanders' Conference held in Herat, by 2nd Lt. Karl Wiest, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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