FORWARD OPERATING BASE SMART, Afghanistan – There is a lot of greenery in Shah Joy District, the bread basket of Zabul Province, Afghanistan. Comprised mostly of farmers, the district also has the largest bazaar in the province and serves as a vital economic element for the future of Zabul. Therefore, when the wall of sand comes hurtling towards the convoy as it leaves a recent school project; the brown cloud seems far more dangerous and out of place than it should.
The members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul are attempting to merge onto the local highway when it hits, and the lead vehicle’s commander, U.S. Army Sgt. Elijah Gutierrez, originally of Bravo Company, 1/143rd of the Alaskan National Guard, calls out a warning over the radio to the vehicles trailing him.
With visibility suddenly down to less than three feet, the routine maneuver has taken an ominous turn. He can no longer see the trucks that were just seconds before lined bumper to bumper on the busy road, and he takes quick action to protect the convoy his vehicle leads. Somehow, even in the chaos that is an Afghan sandstorm, he is able to calmly bring the convoy onto the highway and begin the trek back towards their home at Forward Operating Base Bullard.
The exuberance and passion of this small detachment is contagious, and these qualities are necessary in a place as far from the spotlight as FOB Bullard is. With an important mission to help the district transition to government control, the soldiers and airmen are committed to the completion of projects that include building schools and improving the local hospitals and assisting the district governor in learning how to implement and maintain a budget.
The Alaskans take their job very seriously, and having spent the past week watching them plan and execute various missions, it seems that there are very few who could take much more care in their job than they do.
U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Adams, of Anchorage, Alaska, describes their overall mission and is quick to point out that he knows there are limitations to what they can and should accomplish.
“We aren’t here to just give them everything they need or that they ask for,” said Adams. “We are here to teach and mentor them so that they can stand on their own feet.”
Spc. Daniel Weckhorst, of Eagle River, Alaska, quickly agrees.
“I know that daily, our operations are meant to support the district governor and the local Elders to be able to transition from ISAF assistance, said Weckhorst. “The people of the district look to their leaders for assistance, and being able to provide good governance will be the way ahead for the citizens of this country.”
The infantry element’s sole mission here in Shah Joy is to support the Civil Affairs personnel and their various projects all over the district. Recently, the detachment visited an ongoing project, the refurbishment of the local hospital on the outskirts of the sprawling bazaar. Staff Sgt. Eduardo Servin, of the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion from Lompoc, Calif., helped to survey the current work and seemed impressed with the gains that had been made in the three months since they have arrived.
“Before we can start new projects, we need to see the completion of the current sites that are under construction,” said Servin. “The quality of work, the efficiency of their workers - we are pleased that they have come so far and are dedicated to its success.”
His personal project is the newly built school in Miskinibad. The walled compound is almost ready for its grand opening, and as he checks each classroom, he comments that the smell of fresh paint still lingers in the air. Sitting with local educators and enjoying afternoon tea, he listens as they describe the effect this school will have on the local children. Realizing that this means more than just a basic education, it means opportunities that do not currently exist; he is excited about starting new projects to replace the completed ones.
“This is one of the most uneducated parts of the country,” said Servin. “Working with the district governor, the Ministry of Education and local elders, I feel like we are helping them make a difference in their own lives. In the future, when people acknowledge the turning point in Afghanistan, it will be projects like these that made the difference. It will be the fact that they took ownership of their own lives and communities.”
Back at FOB Bullard, the soldiers are asked if they miss anything from home. Gathering around, they mention the convenience of shopping, long showers and home cooked meals. Asked if they will miss anything about Afghanistan, they take a moment to ponder the question.
“It might sound cliché,” said Adams.” But I will miss the chance to be so immersed in another culture.”
Heads nod in silent agreement before Gutierrez speaks up.
“These guys are my family. I’m going to miss my family when we complete the mission and head home.”
With almost six months before that time comes, it is evident that this family will accomplish a lot while they are still here.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2012 11:30 |
| Story ID: | 88732 |
| Location: | QALAT, AF |
| Hometown: | ANCHORAGE, AK, US |
| Hometown: | EAGLE RIVER, AK, US |
| Hometown: | WASILLA, AK, US |
| Web Views: | 402 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, The joy of working in Shah Joy, by Jason Nelson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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