CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan — While healing hearts and minds of the Afghanistan people is the ultimate goal, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery are doing that and more. The soldiers are building constructive relationships with the Afghan people by improving infrastructure in the city of Kabul.
Members of the civil military operations section within the 178th strive to continue the counterinsurgency principle by supervising the reconstruction process of schools and other infrastructure projects.
The Georgetown based, South Carolina Army National Guard unit has been stationed at Camp Phoenix in Kabul for more than four months, and has worked on several projects throughout the city to help extinguish the struggles Afghan citizens face on a day-to-day basis. The CMO has completed several projects, is currently tasked with more developments, and has future goals of continuing to enhance living conditions throughout the area.
Past projects include security lighting improvements at Kabul University, village water and sanitation upgrades, and construction of a vehicle bridge between two villages to improve economic opportunities, said Capt. Kevin McClure, assistant CMO leader.
With villages, schools and roads in need of more improvements, McClure and the CMO continue to coordinate projects around Kabul to reduce problems in the area.
One of the most significant problems in Afghanistan is the education of the people. Children trying to get an education struggle because of limited resources.
Throughout Kabul, school population’s range from 3,000 to 9,000 students. Because of the overcrowding, students must attend school in shifts. Most sit on the floor or sit two to three at a desk and only go for three to four hours each day in a small classroom of 40 to 50 students.
“The overcrowding makes it hard for the Afghan children to receive the education they should be getting,” said McClure. “With newer and bigger schools, desks, chairs and chalk boards, the children will have a better learning environment.”
The CMO is currently managing the construction of eight schools in the Kabul area that will positively affect numerous children getting an education in the Afghanistan school system.
“We have been collaborating with United States Forces – Afghanistan and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve future designs of schools so they are safe and earthquake resistant,” said McClure.
Another project the CMO section continues to oversee is the Kabul University lighting project to enhance the security around the campus. Old, rusted and inoperable lights are being replaced with new automated photocell-sensor lights.
“Students who attend the university are now able to conveniently sit outside at night with light and feel safe studying, instead of having to go back to their dorms every night,” said McClure.
With these and more current projects underway, including a new bridge, a boundary wall at a school and the installation of four new water wells in a remote village, the 178th will continue to help the Afghan citizens live a better, more convenient standard of living.
The CMO has accomplished a number of reconstruction assignments, enhanced education and economic opportunities and overall continues to improve the Afghan way of life.
“The giving hearts of the CMO are helping to heal the Afghan hearts and minds one at a time,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kris Alvey, CMO noncommissioned officer. “It is rewarding and gratifying to see the joy we bring to the Afghan people.”
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2010 08:06 |
| Story ID: | 53155 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 484 |
| Downloads: | 364 |
This work, South Carolina National Guard unit builds relationships, infrastructure for Afghan people, by 2LT Rebecca Linder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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