2-45th ADT’s first mission builds toward success

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Col. Robert Roshell, from Lawton, Okla., 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team commander, is escorted from a mine resistant ambush-protected vehicle by U.S. Army Capt. Kale Rogers, from Cordell, Okla., the security force commander of the 2-45th ADT, during a visit to a local clinic in Gardez, Oct. 17. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. John P. Sklaney III)  

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.17.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By U.S. Army Sgt. John P. Sklaney III

PATYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Soldiers assigned to the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team conducted their first agricultural mission in Gardez, Oct. 17.

U.S. Army Col. Robert Roshell, 2-45th ADT commander, from Lawton, Okla., headed the team’s first mission to set the standard by which all future missions would be judged against.

“The first mission would build confidence in the team during an exciting time in helping the Afghans,” said Roshell.

The ADT visited a clinic to assess the needs of local Afghans and a farm to ascertain a baseline of agricultural production with the agricultural section of taking the lead during the clinic visit.

During the farm visit, Roshell was able to visit with Niaz Mohammad, the Paktya province director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, to validate the contract to build structures on the farm.

After conducting a site assessment, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, from Aubrey, Texas, contract specialist for the ADT, said there was work to be done, but that the Afghans had started with some of the improvements started by the 1-45th ADT.

The 2-45th ADT had just conducted a transfer of authority with the 1-45th ADT the previous week.

Roshell said the visit showed the resolve of the U.S. to help the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan connect with the local population and provide a unique role in improving the agricultural production in the province.

This mission starts the process by which the 2-45th ADT will be assessed at the end of their tour, said Roshell.

Future missions, over the weeks and months ahead, will include return visits to the clinic and farm to gauge improvements on what was seen during this visit mission.

• Date Taken: 10.17.2010
• Date Posted: 10.22.2010 12:32
• Story ID: 58633
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF