Courtesy Photo | A Polish soldier uses a Polish bucket loader to help fill the Hesco bastions to...... read more read more
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By Army 1st Lt. Ashley Dellavalle
Combined Task Force Rugged Public Affairs Officer
FORWARD OPERATION BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan – Soldiers and contractors from across three continents work together to accomplish a mission, working towards a common goal - the success of Afghanistan and the Afghan people.
Capt. Eric Parthemore, 864th Engineer Battalion, Headquarters Support Company commander, and 1st Lt. Robert Green, Engineer Equipment Platoon Leader, Task Force Pacemaker, coordinate with U.S. and Polish Soldiers and Afghan contractors to expand the living area for the Polish Battle Group on Forward Operation Base Sharana. Green's horizontal construction platoon, along with the Polish engineer platoon led by Polish Lt. Telezynski, and about 15 Afghan contractors, have moved tens of thousands of cubic yards of dirt in order to clear the land to create suitable ground to place the force provider tents, where more than 500 Polish soldiers will reside.
"Sometimes we have an Afghan contractor operating a bucket loader, filling American dump trucks driven by Polish soldiers with an American Soldier on the ground directing movement," said Parthemore. "It takes a lot of coordination and mental effort, but it is enjoyable."
The Soldiers and contractors working on the Polish Battle Group living area must pay special attention to safety on the site.
"The three nationalities must have a common understanding of safe equipment operation. Our hand and arm signals are an evolving science," said Parthemore. Safety is one thing that can not be compromised when working with heavy equipment, he added.
The Polish Battle Group, similar to a large infantry battalion in the U.S. Army, will transfer authority with the 4/73 Cavalry Squadron, 82nd Airborne Division, May 28. Upon transfer of authority, the Polish Battle Group will conduct patrolling and counter-insurgency operations within the Paktika Province. Polish Lt. Col Adam Strek, commander of the Polish Battle Group, is confident that his professional soldiers are ready for the mission. Strek said most of the Soldiers have already served in Kosovo and Iraq alongside coalition forces and are excited to be working with coalition troops again in Afghanistan.
"The Polish Battle Group will be protecting Paktika and the Afghans against the Taliban, so we will build them a home to project their power, and help provide a safe environment for the Afghan people," said Green.
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2007 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 10272 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AF |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 75 |
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