ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. soldiers joined Zabul Provincial Gov. Mohammad Ashraf Naseri, District Gov. Mohammed Zareef and almost 100 local elders for a ribbon cutting ceremony and shura in Mizan district Sept. 29.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was to celebrate the successful reopening of Route Chicken – the main road between the district and provincial capitals of Mizan and Qalat in Zabul province. In a joint operation, five months in the planning, between U.S. and Afghan National armies called Operation Fairbanks, the road was cleared of improvised explosive devices, repaired, redirected in places, and had several checkpoints constructed every five kilometers along its length from Sept. 17-21. The road had previously been subject to Taliban attacks and remained uncleared for military and civilian traffic for the past year. The newly constructed checkpoints will be manned by ANA soldiers on nine month tours.
“It’s a big deal to the people of Mizan that the coalition forces have re-opened the road to Qalat,” said Zareef. “All the people of Mizan say thank you for the checkpoints and bringing security to us.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Combined Team Zabul commander, Col. Blake C. Ortner of the Staunton-based 116th Virginia Army National Guard Infantry Brigade Combat Team who had spent the morning inspecting the checkpoints and meeting with ANA leaders. Ortner also had the opportunity to meet with Fort Wainwright-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Soldiers who were not only providing security for the event but were the brains and brawn behind the success of Operation Fairbanks.
“The importance is that for the first time in two years, we have implemented an enduring route that allows the people of Mizan unimpeded access to highway one and the capital, Qalat,” said Lt. Col. Jeff R. Stewart of the 1-24th. “It’s a huge success for our unit.”
The actual ribbon cutting ceremony was a quick and subdued affair unlike the bright yellow ribbon and mugging for cameras that are common with U.S. events. The shura, originally planned to be held in the Mizan district center, was moved outdoors when the number of attendees far exceeded room capacity. Local elders sat in the shade of a large tree facing government officials. Those Afghans who had a chair relinquished it to those older than themselves – often setting off a chain reaction as a chair was passed to increasingly older attendees.
The shura lasted for two hours followed by a lunch for government officials and senior U.S., Afghan and Romanian soldiers.
On the trip north from Qalat to Mizan along the last stretch of the road, a jingle truck carrying pomegranates got stuck in a ditch and a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) was temporarily stuck in a deep patch of sand, nicknamed “moon dust” by U.S. soldiers.
Just getting the last part of the road fully up to speed, that’s the hard part, said Capt. Jeremy S. Medaris, Charlie Company 1-24th commander.
“Thank you for all you have done for the people of the Mizan valley,” said Naseri. “I am very happy about the route being open, especially when the people stand up and say that they are happy as well.”
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2011 11:16 |
| Story ID: | 78231 |
| Location: | ZABUL PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Mizan ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates joint US-Afghan road reopening, by Frank O'Brien, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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