Sailors from Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost Receive Bronze Stars

Photo By Ensign Christopher Weis | Chief David Keelan, electronics technician, Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost's communications department head, is awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Cmdr. Dave Adams, for exceptional leadership in a combat zone along with six other Sailors from the PRT. The PRT has, over the course of the year, conducted over 800 convoys for a highly successful counterinsurgency operation in the hostile environment of Khost, Afghanistan, often facing numerous threats of suicide bombers and roadside IED's. Cmdr. Dave Adams, commanding officer, Lt. Rob Holt, executive officer, Cmdr. Adrienne Simmons, PRT medical provider, Lt. Cmdr Bob Traeder, PRT Engineer, Chief Patrick Flynn, intelligence officer, and Chief Keelan, communications department head are among those awarded the Bronze Star Medal. A total of 21 Bronze Star Medals to Soldiers and Sailors attached to PRT Khost.  

AFGHANISTAN

02.29.2008

Story by Ensign Christopher Weis 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost

By Ensign Christopher Weis
Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost

Six Sailors from Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Khost, Afghanistan were awarded the Bronze Star at a ceremony Feb. 29.

All of the Sailors are individual augmentee (IA) from active and reserve components of the Navy. Cmdr. Dave Adams, Cmdr. Adrienne Simmons, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Traeder, Lt. Rob Holt, Chief James May, Chief Dave Keelan and Chief Patrick Flynn were recognized for meritorious service in the face of the enemy.

Over the course of the 12-month deployment in Khost, a place once known as the suicide bomber capital of Afghanistan, the Sailors and Soldiers of the team conducted over 800 civil-military convoy missions facing a determined suicide and roadside bomb threat.

"We are the main effort in the war against terrorism here in Khost and unless we're successful here the people will face a return to darkness," said Keelan.

The PRT has executed over $50 million worth of projects during their time on the ground in Khost, including 120 kilometers of paved roads, 300 wells, work on 52 boys and girls schools and 45 irrigation projects benefiting some 50,000 acres of land.

"We have created miracles together in Khost," exclaimed provincial Governor Arsala Jamal during a recent interview.

Cmdr. Dave Adams, commanding officer of the team, explained that delivering hope to the Afghans of the once war ravaged province that housed two al-Qaida training camps frequented by Osama Bin Laden has been an incredible experience.

"We see it in their faces every day," said Adams. "Every time we help pave another kilometer of road, every time we help their communities open a new school, every time the provincial government provides a well for fresh drinking water, we see the hope in their faces."

• Date Taken: 02.29.2008
• Date Posted: 03.09.2008 04:58
• Story ID: 17161
• Location: AF