'Lightning' duo overcomes obstacles to represent Afghans

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.10.2010

Story by Sgt. Andrew Reagan 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Calling the civil affairs team at Forward Operating Base Lightning, Paktya province, Afghanistan, a "team" is a stretch. A more fitting title would be "civil affairs duo."

However, U.S. Army Maj. Christian Jenni and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy L. Hancock do not let any obstacles stop them from keeping the people of eastern Afghanistan safe and helping them achieve a better life.

Despite being the only two civil affairs soldiers at FOB Lightning, Jenni and Hancock are part of a larger unit, the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion from Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Jenni, the Alpha Company commander with the 405th CA Bn., said that his company has about 40 soldiers in Afghanistan, spread out in six teams in 10 locations across five provinces.

A native of Orem, Utah, Jenni added that being stationed in small teams in so many locations, some of which are remote and incredibly dangerous, creates several challenges for him and his Soldiers. Two locations are in areas so dangerous that helicopters only fly there at night.

Also, due to the remoteness of their locations, it takes at least a week to visit any of his teams, and closer to two or three weeks if the weather is uncooperative, said Jenni.

This creates logistical problems, as his teams are at bases where supplies are limited. Thus, the only way to deliver needed items for his Soldiers to do their mission is through mail or sending them on a helicopter, he said.

However, Hancock, from Payson, Utah, noted some benefits of operating in 3 to 5-person teams. He said this allows the teams a degree of versatility they would not have if they worked in larger units. He added that they can attach to a wide variety of combat units and act as an intermediary liaison between the units and the civilian population.

"In Logar province we supported the 3rd Brigade, Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division," Hancock said. "The major focus of our team in Logar was to provide act as liaison with the civilian populace during combat and kinetic operations. Often times we'll identify mosques, schools and residential areas and report that information back to kinetic commanders. We'll also meet with village elders and let them know that the U.S. forces are there to support and help them."

Hancock has an advantage when meeting with village elders that not all civil affairs specialists have. He is fluent in Dari, after spending a year at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, Calif.

This allows him to communicate directly with the village elders and build a tighter rapport with them while determining what he can do to meet the needs of the villagers.

He stressed the importance of building a clear understanding with the elders in Afghan villages, as opposed to overwhelming displays of force.

"In a counterinsurgency, you can kill as many enemy forces as you want and the problem will still exist. The root of the problem is not the people, it's belief. The only way to win a war is to change a belief. You win the hearts and minds of the people, and you've won the war," said Hancock.

Jenni also discussed how vital it is to the counterinsurgency efforts to form a strong connection with the Afghan people, not just between them and U.S. forces but also with their own government.

"Our main mission is to tie the people to their government, and at the same time hold the government responsible to govern its areas and do its job," Jenni said. "I've been able to see two corrupt sub-governors replaced by sub-governors who are eager to make a difference. That's the kind of leadership that Afghanistan needs. That makes our time here worthwhile."

• Date Taken: 03.10.2010
• Date Posted: 03.10.2010 07:30
• Story ID: 46432
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF