Afghan guardian turns in roadside bomb, declines reward money

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

10.23.2009

Story by Senior Airman Ryan Crane 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — In a country stricken with poverty where the daily wage for labor is less than the hourly wage in the United States, Afghans strive to better their country with or without incentives.

An Afghan national security force member in the Wardak province turned in a roadside bomb to Coalition forces Oct. 23, making it the eighth found in the province in the last three weeks.

The Afghan guardian explained that he witnessed insurgents place the bomb on the side of a road in his village. He waited for the men to leave then proceeded to disarm the device and transport it to the coalition base.

When the man arrived, as a precautionary measure, he was tested for traces of explosives. The tests came back and showed that he was not responsible for making the bomb. Coalition members accepted the roadside bomb from the man and, offered him the reward money advertised throughout the area.

The Afghan guardian declined the reward stating, "I was doing this job for the love of my country, and not for financial gain."

"It is men like this," a coalition soldier stated, "that will guide this country and government to safety and legitimacy." The Soldier continued, "He is an asset to the Afghan national security force."

• Date Taken: 10.23.2009
• Date Posted: 10.26.2009 17:10
• Story ID: 40693
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF