Photo By Sgt. Timothy Dinneen | (From left to right) New U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan William Wood discusses the...... read more read more
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Story and photos by Army Sgt. Timothy Dinneen
CJTF-82 PAO
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan met with the commander of Combined Joint Task Force-82 April 23 to discuss operations, developments and challenges in Regional Command-East.
U.S. Ambassador William Wood wasted little time after his first day in office April 16 to receive a clear picture of how coalition forces, along with the Afghan National Security Forces, are providing support and security to the democratically-elected Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government while disrupting enemy actions hurting the Afghan people.
"The importance of the Afghan people in this fight is critical," said Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of CJTF-82.
Rodriguez said the principles regarding the mission in RC-East is to have the Afghan people chart a new future; operate as trusted partners; encourage the Afghan leadership to live up to their own values; employ all available assets to seize and maintain the initiative; and build Afghan capability to gain and sustain positive momentum.
"It's much more than guns and ammunition, it's trusting and meeting with people to create an opportunity and make a difference everyday," Rodriguez said. "We started out doing things for (Afghans), now we're doing it with them and we want to get to a point they can do things themselves."
Although the focus of coalition forces is to assist the Afghan people, and their government, build a stable and peaceful society, insurgents have increased attacks and intimidation campaigns against the civilian population, according to Army Maj. Cameron Weathers, CJ-5 planner, CJTF-82. He attributed this in part to warmer weather opening up previously impassable mountain paths to populated areas.
According to Weathers, 66 percent of suicide bombings have contributed to civilian deaths. As the insurgents indiscriminately attack the civilian population, coalition forces have won over a majority of the population through development projects undertaken by the provincial reconstruction teams.
Furthermore, Weathers said that there is a 90 percent positive opinion Afghans have of coalition forces and the IRoA when they have direct exposure to projects that impact their towns.
Rodriguez said that as coalition forces continue the development of the Afghan National Army, build new centers of education excellence and provincial governors demonstrate their leadership abilities, the citizens acceptance of coalition efforts and a renunciation of the Taliban will continue to gather strength.
According to Army Lt. Col. David Anders, the director of operations, CJTF-82, the top five development programs are agriculture, roads, health care, district centers and education. However, lack of roads, enemy intimidation of civilians, crime and exploitation are challenges the coalition are facing to improve Afghan lives.
"We have built more than 200 kilometers of road in Regional Command-East since February," said Anders.
The ambassador expressed his thanks and admiration for servicemembers in RC-East.
"You are an example to the country and the rest of the world," said Wood. "You're success or failure will be a template for the rest of the world."
Wood assured everyone the coalition has the bi-partisan support of the Congress.
"There is victory at the end of the road," Wood said. "You all have a fan in me."
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2007 10:59 |
| Story ID: | 10089 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 137 |
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