Army Reservist Fights Information War in Afghanistan

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.16.2010

Photo by Sgt. Spencer Case 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Evan L. Batie, a reservist with the 319th Psychological Operations Company, 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, poses in front of the ‘radio in a box’ or RIAB, at Forward Operating Base Lightning, Paktya province, Oct. 16. In the civilian world, Batie, who attends battle training assembly at Arden Hills, Minn., but calls Troy, Ala., his home, is a student at the Metropolitan State University, St. Paul campus studying business management in human resources. Since his deployment to Forward Operating Base Lightning began in June, Batie has been working as a psychological operations planner. “It’s so huge, I don’t want to say to control the information, but to be on the forefront of the information,” Batie said. “A lot of people are motivated by fear, so if I can put out the truth that will empower the people.”

• Date Taken: 10.16.2010
• Date Posted: 10.19.2010 16:45
• Photo ID: 330488
• VIRIN: 101016-A-9320C-001
• Resolution: 2100x1395
• Size: 958.92 KB
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF