Mullen holds Q&A with TF Duke Soldiers, visits ADT farm

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen entertains questions from soldiers of Task Force Duke at luncheon on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, April 19. Mullen made a brief stop at the FOB to hold the luncheon for the soldiers and visit with the Indiana National Guard's 3-19th Agribusiness Development Team. (Photo by: U.S. Army Spc. Bryan Thian)  

KHOWST PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

04.19.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Ben Navratil 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited soldiers on Forward Operating Base Salerno, April 19.

Over lunch, Mullen held a question and answer session with a group of soldiers based on the FOB, and then visited the farm maintained by the Indiana National Guard’s 3-19th Agribusiness Development Team.

Mullen entertained several topics posed by soldiers during the session, including the growing presence of contractors on U.S. FOBs downrange and the possibility of sending ground troops in to assist the Libyan rebels.

Mullen explained that the use of contractors in non-combat related maintenance and other positions was necessary due to the large-scale of the current operation, and to ensure that U.S. soldiers can remain focused on their counter-insurgency mission.

Regarding Libya, Mullen said he agrees with the president’s decision to not send ground troops.

“I fully support the president’s decision,” he said. “It would be viewed very poorly in the public eye if the U.S. were engaged in an armed conflict with a third Muslim nation within a decade.

After the luncheon, Mullen visited the 3-19th ADT’s headquarters.

The team’s composition, mainly their civilian occupations and areas of expertise, were a topic of discussion with Mullen.

U.S. Army Col. Walt Colbert, the 3-19th ADT commander from Indianapolis, informed Adm. Mullen that a significant transformation has taken place in the three years that Indiana ADT’s have worked within the Khowst province.

“When Indiana’s first team came in during 2009, U.S. soldiers were delivering actual training to the farmers of Afghanistan. Two and a half years later, with many strong relationships and partnerships in place, agricultural extension agents native to Khowst province are now capable of conducting their own training seminars,” said Colbert.

While touring the ADT’s farm, Mullen took special interest in their example solar dehydrator – an inexpensive device made to dry fruit, some of which are being distributed across the province – as well as a test plot of winter wheat, which was planted using more western practices than are normally seen in this region.

Mullen addressed the ways the ADT is developing new and better ways to help the local villagers help themselves.

“The countless lessons learned over the course of three consecutive ADT’s are an excellent example of the continuity that allows the ADT to evolve along with the needs of the Afghans,” said Mullen.

• Date Taken: 04.19.2011
• Date Posted: 04.21.2011 03:50
• Story ID: 69077
• Location: KHOWST PROVINCE, AF