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PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Task Force Gladius Soldiers delivered humanitarian aid to the refugee village of Benigorsok in Parwan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 19.
The Gladius Soldiers, who are assigned to Company B, 82nd Airborne Division Special Troops Battalion and fall under Task Force Cyclone, are responsible for pulling security in the area around Bagram Airfield. During a recent meeting, their score of responsibility increased when they identified a need and responded to a request from the village elder, Haleem, for humanitarian items.
"Our primary job is security," said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Maximilian L. Soto, a native of La Mesa, Calif., and the platoon leader for 3rd Platoon, Co. B. "Part of that responsibility includes developing a relationship with the village elder. Sometimes we see a need for small things and are able to provide."
During this trip, the 3rd Platoon was able to provide 100 sewing kits, 600 hygiene kits, 400 pairs of shoes and an assortment of school supplies and clothes to the village of refugees who have returned to Afghanistan.
Benigorsok is made up of refugees who returned to Parwan province after Coalition forces broke the power of the Taliban and drove the enemies out the area. According to a village council member, the Afghan government gave them their current land to use. As more people return to the country it often stretches already tight resources prompting the request for humanitarian aid.
Company medic, U.S. Army Pfc. Alex M. Peplinski, of Granby, Conn., helped to pass out the nearly half ton of aid. Peplinski said that stabilized security conditions were improving lives.
"If they have any problems, now they have the ANP right down the road," Soto said as he pointed toward the nearby Afghan national police checkpoint.
After touring the village, which still has no electricity, while surrounded by a crowd of excited children, Soto said that Benigorsok faces many challenges that they will have to work within their own government to solve.
"But," Soto added, "you try to do the best you can to help...to give somebody something they can't provide for themselves."
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2010 14:14 |
| Story ID: | 45634 |
| Location: | PARWAN, AF |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
This work, ISAF Soldiers deliver humanitarian aid to refugee village, by SFC Donald Reeves, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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