ADT attends poultry graduation ceremony, meeting in Wazi Zadran

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team travel through the Khowst-Gardez mountain pass during a mission, Nov. 11. At more than 9,500 feet, historically, the K-G pass has presented an obstacle for commerce, communication and travel between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the citizens in the eastern provinces. The GIRoA and U.S. are working to pave the entire route from Khowst to Gardez which will greatly aid in developing the economy in the region. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. John P Sklaney III)  

WAZI ZADRAN, AFGHANISTAN

11.13.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

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

Soldiers from the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team conducted a mission to Wazi Zadran, southeastern Paktya Province, to attend a youth poultry training graduation Nov. 11.

U.S. Army Sgt. Lacy Spanier, from McLoud, Okla., women’s affairs specialist for the ADT, and U.S. Army Spc. Crystal Sims, from Duncan, Okla., a project manager for the ADT, went to the graduation ceremony to present certificates to each student for successfully completing the training.

The training was eight weeks long and covered the entire life cycle of poultry from birth, from egg production, and raising healthy adults to processing the chickens for consumption.

“The students were very knowledgeable about what is required to successfully raise chickens,” said Sims. “They learned a great deal during time spent in class.”

“It was impressive to see the wide range in the age of the students in the poultry training,” said Spanier. The children ranged in ages from five to 18 years old. They said they looked forward to being able to use what they learned from the training.

U.S. Army Col. Robert Roshell, from Lawton, Okla., commander of the ADT, and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Lorn McKinzie, from Depew, Okla., the senior noncommissioned officer of the ADT, visited with the elders from the village.

“I changed my perspective from going to attend a graduation ceremony to that of attending a very important meeting to determine what the village elders need help with,” said Roshell. “We will work through the appropriate [Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan] and U.S. agencies to provide the necessary support of the Afghans.”

“The villagers had a very well thought out plan of what they would like to accomplish in the coming year,” said McKinzie.

The poultry training graduation ceremony and the meeting with the village elders were crucial since they are some of the first projects the ADT completed on its own. Future projects look to build upon the successes of those started at the beginning of the ADT’s time in Afghanistan.

On the return trip through the Khost-Gardez Pass, the ADT stopped and assisted an Afghan truck driver. The Afghan’s truck’s trailer lost one of its axles on a steep incline. The platoon used a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle to pull the truck to a level area where the driver was able to call for assistance in fixing the damage to the trailer.

“Helping Afghans is something we strive to do each and every day,” said U.S. Army Capt. Kale Rogers, from Cordell, Okla., the security force commander for the ADT. “We are here to show the U.S. military is not here just as war fighters, but also to help improve the quality of life for Afghans.”

The mission to the youth poultry graduation, the meeting with the village elders and helping the Afghan on the Khost-Gardez Pass were successful on many levels. The ADT hopes to improve its relationships with the people of Afghanistan during future projects.

• Date Taken: 11.13.2010
• Date Posted: 11.13.2010 14:05
• Story ID: 60069
• Location: WAZI ZADRAN, AF