KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, received a request from the Kandahar provincial governor and the southern region security czar to help the Afghan National Security Forces provide security and stability to the citizens of Mya Neshin district.

The Mya Neshin district in northern Kandahar province has not had a functioning government since the Taliban seized the district center in 2005. The district has also not had a regular presence of NATO forces or ANSF - until now.

The first step was to secure and repair the road that leads to the district center and now the focus has shifted to building an interim district center for the district government to operate from.

“The 10 kilometer road into Mya Neshin was in utter disrepair,” said Lt. Col David Hardy, battalion commander. “During the years of instability, the road became impassable due to washouts. The Army engineers and Navy [construction battalion] have done an incredible job repairing the road.”

“The weather became a real challenge,” said Capt. Spenser Bruning, battalion engineer. “The heavy snow slowed us down to only repairing about 50 meters each day, but we’re getting the work done.”

“The Afghan citizens are happy with the improvements,” Hardy said. “The trip from Mya Neshin to Kandahar City used to take over ten hours. Now it takes about three.”

Security for the road is primarily the responsibility of the Afghan police and army. Talon has built checkpoints along the route, which the ANSF occupy.

“The insurgents have really not challenged us,” said Capt. John Intile, commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. “The ANSF, who are from the area, are especially motivated to make this work.”

Connected Media