Chosen Company maintains presence in Nangalam

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.11.2008

Courtesy Story

173rd Airborne Brigade

By Sgt. Henry Seltzer
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, conduct frequent patrols to the village of Nangalam to reassure citizens that coalition forces are there to help.

For some, this may seem like a tedious and redundant task, but the Soldiers of 1st Platoon understand it is necessary for them to complete these patrols in order to keep good relationships with the Afghans around their base.

"The reason that we conduct the Nangalam patrol so often is to become familiar with the locals and to make the locals of the village more comfortable with us," said Staff Sgt. David Dzwick, 30, of Traverse City, Mich., a squad leader with 1st Platoon.

In order to monitor traffic in the village of Nangalam, and make sure that the enemy is not making the village their home, Soldiers of 1st Platoon enrolled the local shop owners and villagers into the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment System to make sure that they are not wanted by the local police or government.

"The village of Nangalam is a very important area because it is the biggest bazaar in the area, so there is a lot of traffic in and out of the area, to many smaller villages," said Army 1st Lt. Aaron A. Thurman, 30, the 1st Platoon leader from Seattle.

The frequent patrols the Soldiers of 1st Platoon conduct to Nangalam appear to be accomplishing their purpose. The Afghans of the village recognize these Soldiers and greet them warmly by welcoming them into their shops and cooperating in every way possible when asked to help.

• Date Taken: 03.11.2008
• Date Posted: 03.11.2008 11:58
• Story ID: 17244
• Location: KUNAR PROVINCE, AF