QAISAR, Afghanistan – Soldiers from Combat Outpost Qaisar performed a dismounted patrol and interacted with Afghans in downtown Qaisar, April 25.
An ice cream vendor, butcher, metal shop workers, farmers and many other local business owners along with Afghans of all ages were met by troops from the U.S. Army A Battery, 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. To reach the city's center, the soldiers walked outside their front gate.
"Interacting with the locals gives us an opportunity to show them we're people too," said U.S. Army Capt. James Thornton, battery commander, A Battery, 1-84 Field Artillery. "It's important to get to see the people. They are our Afghan brothers and sisters."
The partnership not only between local Afghan civilians but also with Afghan National Security Forces is important.
"We trust them and fight the enemy together," said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Genaro Hernandez, battery first sergeant, A Battery, 1-84 Field Artillery. "We have built another level in our relationship with them, working together to accomplish the overall mission of security. It's like there isn't a difference between our forces when we operate together."
The battery works as a combined team with area Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army soldiers whenever they execute a mission.
"We partner with the ANSF to built capabilities and to help with developing them," added Thornton. "It's a step in the right direction; we're here to help each other."
Also during the patrol, soldiers ate bread and ice cream with the Afghans.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2011 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 69795 |
| Location: | QAISAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldiers Step Outside to Interact with Afghans, by LT Peter Lee, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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