Photo By Capt. Michael Thompson | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st. Class Bryan Neal holds his son Jack, 4, while speaking with a...... read more read more
MARIETTA, Ga. -A year ago at the 265th Regional Support Group departure ceremony, Col. Craig McGaillard, Agribusiness Development Team II (ADT II) commander, made a promise to bring everyone home safely. And he kept that promise.
“Because of this team’s results, fall harvest wheat yields increased from 450 kilograms per jerib to 900 kilograms per jerib using the improved wheat seed that was grown,” said McGaillard. In Afghanistan, the jerib is approximately one-fifth of a hectare, but can vary by region.
The Women’s Initiative Training Team (WITT) could be considered one of the more successful endeavors for the ADT. Usually led by a female Soldier, its purpose is to assist the women of Afghanistan in establishing sound agribusiness practices, from seed to market. When Georgia ADT II WITT took over from ADT I, it faced some challenges. The most important among these was building relationships with the Afghan women leaders.
In preparation for that deployment, ADT II Soldiers used the new language lab at Clay National Guard center to improve their understanding of the Pashto and Dari languages used in Afghanistan. The University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences provided additional agriculture training and technical expertise at the UGA Tifton campus.
“There is not really a class for this type of mission, it was all ad-hoc training,” said Master Sgt. David McElwee. “So working with UGA really helped us when we got into our mission in Afghanistan.”
The ADT entered local meetings with the goal of observing agricultural methods handed down for thousands of years and working with Afghans to come up with alternative methods to get the most out of their agriculture programs. This included training in business, canning, jarring, food preservation, and poultry. The agricultural training by ADT II directly impacted an estimated 650,000 Afghans in the Logar and Wardak provinces.
The 56-strong unit planned, initiated and executed more than 21 agribusiness related projects in Logar and Wardak provinces, including managing eight watershed restoration projects. These projects totaled in excess of $3.7 million.
In addition to its role in developing projects, agribusiness the unit also proved a vital asset as a quick reaction force (QRF) for the battle space owner, Task Force Saber. The ADT security force would help recover Soldiers and equipment and after one operation with the 101st Airborne Pathfinders, they were personally recognized for professionalism and attention to detail.
“I was very impressed and hope we can work with the Georgia ADT again in the future,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Bronson, 101st Airborne Pathfinders, in an email to Col. McGalliard. “I have been transported by several units, and your Soldiers are a cut above.”
“We were probably considered the best team on Forward Operating Base Shank,” added Col. McGalliard. “On at least four or five occasions these Guardsmen were the first to render aid to wounded civilians and Soldiers following indirect fire or rocket attacks on the base. Their quick actions in the face of danger, risking their lives, saved the lives of others.”
The small unit was highly awarded during the deployment: receiving 6 Combat Infantry Badges, 23 Combat Action Badges, 2 Combat Medic Badges, 15 Bronze Star Medals, 36 Army Commendation Medals, and 2 Department of the Army Awards for civilian service.
The Guardsmen of ADT II will now return home to family and friends, but deployment activity doesn’t stop there. There are several classes aimed at helping Soldiers transition back into their civilian lives.
“The reintegration piece is the easy part, you get your Soldiers back, you get to hug them, but the next few months are going to be the critical part,” said Col. Michael Scholes, commander, 78th Troop Command. “The Yellow Ribbon events are one of the most important things we can do for the Soldier and the family.”
The Georgia National Guard has made a three-year commitment to provide ADTs in Afghanistan. The first of these deployed for southeastern Afghanistan in the spring of 2011. The majority of the service members come from the 201st Regional Support Group and the 265th Regional Support Group. Georgia ADT III is currently deployed to Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 02.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2013 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 101783 |
| Location: | METTER, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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