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PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Deploying can be a challenging, yet exciting, time for members of the U.S. military, especially those deploying for the first time.
One member from Company B, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, experienced these feelings when he deployed for the first time earlier this year to Paktya Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“I went to the recruiter’s office because I really wanted to help others overseas and at home,” said U.S. Army Pvt. Doncristino Racca, a driver for the Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktya security forces from Revere, Mass. “Joining the Army National Guard gave me the opportunity.”
“My recruiter told me the unit I was joining would be deploying soon, and I was excited and anxious to have that chance,” he added.
In March, members from the security force unit met up with their U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Reserve counterparts at Camp Atterbury Joint Military Training Center, Ind., to form PRT Paktya.
“The training we received was excellent,” Racca said. “It gave me a lot of time behind the wheel and showed me how we will run our missions prior to arriving in country.”
PRT Paktya is a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to working with the Paktya provincial and district leadership to extend the authority and legitimacy of the government of Afghanistan.
The PRT’s security team is responsible for ensuring safety of PRT members including Department of State, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as fellow airmen and soldiers.
“I was happy to arrive in Afghanistan and have a part in helping build trust between the people of Paktya province and their government,” Racca said.
“[The security force] plays an essential part in our overall mission here in Afghanistan,” U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Keith Evans, PRT Paktya sergeant major, from Little Rock, Ark., said. “Without them, we would not be able to get out and interact with the local government and population like we do.”
“The members of Bravo Company are highly professional and some of the best infantry I’ve ever served with,” he added.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2011 03:24 |
| Story ID: | 74981 |
| Location: | PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Provincial Reconstruction Team security force member deploys for first time, by Wesley Farnsworth, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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