Virginia National Guard commander finds Afghan National Army soldiers display 'can do' spirit

ZABUL PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.01.2011

Courtesy Story

116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

By: Sgt. Francis J. O’Brien
116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Col. Blake C. Ortner, Combined Team Zabul and Virginia Army National Guard 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, recently inspected completed Afghan National Army checkpoints along Route Chicken en route to a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Mizan district.

The four checkpoints were constructed by soldiers of the Fairbanks-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Sept. 17-21 in partnership with the ANA as part of Operation Fairbanks.

Operation Fairbanks, five months in the planning, was a mission to reclaim Route Chicken - the primary road between the district capital, Mizan, and provincial capital, Qalat, which had been held uncontested by the Taliban for the past year. Taliban control over the road imposed a massive economic hardship on the people of Mizan in the form of tolls, bribes and goods that could not be moved to/from market.

Afghan National soldiers have taken the lead in patrolling the newly-reopened road and providing security - one of many steps taken by the local government to operate independently of the coalition.

"The plan was that we would get the initial checkpoints built and improve them as we go along," said Ortner to Afghan checkpoint commanders. "Yes, there are some wood and water issues, but you're doing a good job out here."

Afghan soldiers from the 2nd Kandak, who will be stationed at the checkpoints for nine month tours, have continued to improve their fighting positions along the road, but raised some concerns about the logistics of future improvements.

"Plywood and sandbags are the hard things to come by," said Capt. Jeremy S. Medaris, 1-24th Charlie Company commander, in response to the concerns. Medaris led Charlie Company soldiers in the initial joint construction of the checkpoints and provided additional security along the route for Ortner's visit.

"My attitude is, if they're going to do it themselves, let's give them the supplies," said Ortner, promising to provide Afghan soldiers with needed materials before winter.

ANA soldiers have displayed 'can do' spirit by using wood scraps to build additional living quarters and cooking areas, and using gravel to reduce the amount of dust in the main checkpoint compound. As part of their patrols, ANA soldiers regularly talk to the local population to further increase support for the GIRoA - the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Soldiers of the 116th "Stonewall Brigade" are deployed to Zabul province as a command and control headquarters in charge of active duty and NATO troops conducting counterinsurgency operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2011
• Date Posted: 10.05.2011 01:14
• Story ID: 78014
• Location: ZABUL PROVINCE, AF