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Bagram Outreach Program brings aid to local villages

Courtesy Photo | Two children attending a Bagram outreach program preventive medicine class, listen...... read more read more

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

07.15.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego
Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — More than 50 members of Task Force Med and TF Gladius visited the village of Bashikheyl July 14 to assess the health needs of the villagers and provide preventive care to the children as part of the Bagram Outreach Program.

The outreach program is focused on engaging local leaders and ensuring mutual security and development with the 13 immediate villages surrounding Bagram.

The event, which provided preventive care to more than 300 Bashikheyl Village children, also drew the attention of Parwan Gov. Tawqa who visited the village, observed the engagement, and discussed supporting the reconstruction of the village.

"We need the support of the local leaders and their populace to assist in our mutual security and our assistance in their development earns their trust and cooperation," said Army Maj. Jonathan Erickson, TF Gladius operations officer.

"The village of Bashikheyl was specifically chosen as the first location because this village was completely flooded by Coyote Creek in March of this year," continued Erickson. "The villagers lived in tents for the past five months until they recently began moving back into their homes, which are in terrible condition."

According to Erickson, the first part of the Bagram Outreach Program is key leader engagement, therefore, Army Lt. Col. James Leary, TF Gladius commander, visits with two village elders a week to discuss their village's security and development concerns.

"We then continue further engagement by assisting in their development," he said. "This includes building wells, schools, clinics, providing cement and (humanitarian aid) items such as beans, rice and clothing. (We) promote good health (through) medical outreaches. The program has been very successful so far. Lieutenant Colonel Leary has visited more than half of the villages."

TF Gladius physician's assistant, Army Capt. Richard Denny agreed, "This first step was a tremendous success. We went out to get a feel for future operations and that's exactly what we accomplished. We met with the local leaders, assessed preventive needs, and helped the children with de-worming and hygiene education in the process. This mission educated the village, but more importantly, it educated us (coalition forces). We are now better prepared to plan and provide significant impact during future missions.

"The Bagram Outreach Program allows the Division Special Troops Battalion medics the opportunity to provide lasting medical support to our Afghan neighbors," Denny said. "When we redeploy, we'll leave here with the knowledge that our Afghan friends will remember our assistance and be better off because of our desire to get involved in their future. I know, with the support of all the available assets here at Bagram, we can have a lasting impact of the health and welfare of our neighbors."

TF Gladius has also launched a Commander's Emergency Response Program dedicated to assist villagers of Bashikheyl rebuild their flood damaged homes.

According to Erickson, part of the project will include contracting the construction labor to the local villagers giving them hands-on experience in reconstruction. This will give the population in the ownership of contributing to economic development. The intent is having the villagers living in their new homes before winter.