'Commandos' step up mission in Nuristan

NURISTAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.13.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment are preparing to expand their mission as the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team relocates within the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division’s battle space shifting focus to central and eastern Nuristan province.

After the Nuristan PRT moves to Jalalabad in the coming weeks, the ‘Commandos’ of Company C, 1st Bn., 133rd Inf. will remain at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in the Nurgaram District of Nuristan to assist Laghman PRT’s efforts in western Nuristan.

To introduce himself to the Afghans in western Nuristan, U.S. Army Capt. Garrett Gingrich, commander of Company C from Waterloo, Iowa, conducted an interview on Radio Kalagush, Dec. 11. Radio Kalagush is one of a handful of media outlets in Nuristan and is a major source of news, information and entertainment in western Nuristan.

“Most of the coalition forces will remain at Kalagush and continue to operate in the Nurgaram and Alingar districts,” explained Gingrich during the radio interview. “New PRT elements will support operations in Alingar and the western valley of Nuristan. They will ensure continued support of PRT (efforts).”

The Nuristan PRT’s move is in response to the Afghan government's desire to provide better support in the central and eastern valleys of Nuristan including the capital of Parun.

The Laghman PRT, based out of Mehtar Lam, south of Kalagush, will take over PRT responsibilities in the Nurgaram, Doab, and Mandol districts in western Nuristan.

“The projects the Nuristan PRT started will continue,” said Gingrich. “The central and eastern valleys of the province need the support of the PRT, and the government has realized it.”

Gingrich added that he and his team will work very closely with the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police to improve security in their area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 01.13.2011
• Date Posted: 01.13.2011 13:46
• Story ID: 63486
• Location: NURISTAN PROVINCE, AF