Photo By Master Sgt. Warren Wright | Spc. Gilbert R. Smook, from the Khost Provisional Reconstruction Team, provides...... read more read more
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KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In the outskirts of Khost province, Afghanistan, alongside miles of farm land and small houses, sits a school currently under construction.
The school, along with 14 others throughout Khost province, is just one of the many construction projects being facilitated, funded and supervised by the Khost Provisional Reconstruction Team.
The mission of the Khost PRT is to assist the Afghan people through various projects, such as building hospitals, schools and roads, to better their living conditions, according to Army Sgt. Terry B. Cochran, a team leader with the Khost PRT.
However, construction projects are not the only thing the Khost PRT is involved with. They also focus on what needs to be done to ensure these facilities are able to operate long after they're built.
"We're not focusing on the number of projects as much as we used to anymore; those days are changing," said Lt. Col. Robert Cooley, the deputy commanding officer of the Khost PRT. "We're really trying to build the capacity and sustainability on the inside by making sure they have the doctors and teachers necessary to sustain those facilities."
The PRT, made up of an Army security force, Army civil affairs specialists, U.S. Department of State representatives and Navy engineers, works closely with Khost government officials on a routine basis to make sure that the Afghan people's needs are being met.
Because the Khost PRT is made up of both active and reserve Sailors and Soldiers, with various backgrounds and expertise, there's a great range of experience and information that members can tap into to help fix any problem that may arise, Cochran said.
The Khost PRT works with the government to help the Afghans implement ways to help them help themselves, said Petty Officer 3rd Class David E. Skagen, master at arms from the Khost PRT.
"We interact with them, we help them, we give them the supplies they need," said Spc. Gilbert R. Smook, dismount security for the Khost PRT.
"I think we're going to make a big difference within the time frame that we're going to be here," Skagen said.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2009 06:16 |
| Story ID: | 37550 |
| Location: | KHOST PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 623 |
| Downloads: | 482 |
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