Soldiers work with local leaders to keep district safe

AFGHANISTAN

06.23.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver 

1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment

International Security Assistance Forces and the Maywand District sub-governor met at a security shura, June 23, to discuss ways ISAF units can work with local police and civic leaders to help improve security in the Maywand District.

Hajji Obidullah Bawary, the Maywand District sub-governor, and Capt. Tom Lamb, Company D commander, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, led the security meeting for the Maywand district and ISAF respectively.

Col. Niamatullah, Maywand District chief of police, also attended the shura, with hopes this meeting would help improve the communication between the coalition forces and the local civic and military leaders.

He stressed their eagerness to work with ISAF forces to help make a way ahead for the Afghan people.

"We are ready for any kind of mission to help fight these insurgents," said Niamatullah. "We are also ready to help with the upcoming election."

The security shura, held just inside the walls of combat outpost Rath, aimed to set the conditions for a secure environment in the Maywand District, without pressure from Taliban and Anti-Afghan forces.

"We will never be successful here if we don't work with the local people," said Lamb. "If we don't understand their problems, we can't meet their needs."

Improvised explosive devices have proven to be a prevalent threat to ISAF forces in the Maywand District, with more than 20 IEDs found in the past month.

The Afghanistan national army has proven to be a huge asset to the IED team located at Forward Operating Base Ramrod. In the past week, the ANA have found several IEDs and weapons caches.

"The ANA have really stepped up ... and are finding a lot of IEDs. It's extremely important that we continue working together," said Lamb. "These meetings ensure we stay on the same page and address and discuss any security or personnel issues they might have."

1-12 IN recently took command of the Maywand District, relieving the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas. Their mission is to conduct counter-insurgency operations to defeat Anti-Afghan Forces, secure the safety of the population and extend the influence and control of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan throughout the Maywand District.

• Date Taken: 06.23.2009
• Date Posted: 09.03.2009 06:27
• Story ID: 38309
• Location: AF