Task Force Steel commander visits Alingar district

Photo By Sgt. Elizabeth Raney | Lt. Col. Michael J. Forsyth, commander of 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, out of Fort Carson, Colo., Task Force Steel, shows Woluswal Nangali, the sub-governor of the Alingar district of the Nuristan province, where, on the globe, the United States are, during a key leader engagement July 6. Forsyth and Nangali also discussed security and possible improvement of the Alingar district.  

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

06.06.2009

Story by Pfc. Elizabeth Raney 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — Woluswal Nangali, the sub-governor of Alingar district in Nuristan province, and Lt. Col. Michale J. Forsyth, discussed important issues, such as security, district needs, and the growing relationship between Afghans and International Security Assistance Forces in Nuristan province June 6.

The Mayville, Ky., native, Forsyth, commands the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, or Task Force Steel, which is the ISAF unit responsible for security and development projects in the area.

"I just wanted to come down and pay a personal visit to you," Forsyth said to Nangali.

Forsyth first asked Nangali about any security concerns he had in Nuristan province. Nangali freely expressed his concerns, and was met with encouraging words of what solutions may come with the help of Afghan national security forces and ISAF.

"I hope that we can work together to help make Afghanistan truly free and prosperous," Forsyth said to Nangali.

Forsyth thanked Nangali for the recent police assistance in locating and securing improvised explosive devices.

"If we can work together in taking the reports and securing the IEDs, we can ensure that the population is safe," he said.

Forsyth also invited Nangali to do a radio address with him on forward operating base Kalagush.

"I think the more we talk together, including on the radio, to the public, the more support we can gain," Forsyth said.

Forsyth showed Nangali, on a globe, where the Soldiers of Task Force Steel are from, and the path that was taken to get to Afghanistan.

The two also discussed the reinstallation of the small rewards program, reconciliation of former enemies, and provincial reconstruction team projects.

"We don't want to do any projects without the local leaders leading the way," Forsyth said. "We want you all to tell us what you need and what would be best and we can work it from there."

• Date Taken: 06.06.2009
• Date Posted: 07.15.2009 04:59
• Story ID: 36393
• Location: JALALABAD AIR FIELD, AF