Orphan boy helped by ANSF, coalition forces

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AFGHANISTAN

05.27.2010

Story by 1st Lt. R.j. Peek 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

Story by: U.S. Army 1st Lt. R.J. Peek

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Soldiers with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, treated an injured orphan at the Yahya Khel District outpost, Paktika province, May 27.

Near starvation, with bloodied and bruised feet, it was obvious to the ANSF soldiers that the boy was an orphan. He became homeless when insurgent forces killed his father months earlier, said U.S. Army Capt. Josh Powers, A Company commander from Atlanta.

The combined Afghan and U.S. forces knew the boy needed medical care and brought him into Forward Operating Base Sharana where medics helped clean him up and provided care for his wounds, said Powers.

“It was good to help the children of the area. They are the future of Afghanistan,” said Afghan National Army 1st Lt. Latif Khan, company commander for 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 203rd ANA Corps, who partners with A Company, 3-187.

The combined forces provided the boy with a fresh pair of socks, a new pair of shoes and a stuffed animal, added Khan.

“It was nice to see … some of the other guys showing compassion for the boy,” said Powers. “Even the Sub-Governor, Ali Mohammed, pitched in to help the boy, doing what he could to help those of the Yahya Khel District.”

At this time the Sub-Governor is taking care of the orphan until more permanent arrangements can be made, said Powers.

• Date Taken: 05.27.2010
• Date Posted: 06.17.2010 09:35
• Story ID: 51539
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AF