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ZABUL, Afghanistan- Troopers of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment along with their Coalition counterparts recently received a visit from a very distinguished guest. The Command Sgt. Major for the International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces Afghanistan North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Michael T. Hall, spent several days traveling around the Zabul province and observing the day-to-day operations of Combined Team Zabul. After visiting the various Forward Operations Bases and speaking with many of the Troopers, Hall was quite optimistic about 2SCR’s mission approach.
“I am very impressed with the new energy and professionalism and the new campaign plan,” he said.
Hall was very happy with the Dragoon’s inclusion of all CTZ organizations involved in the ongoing mission into the planning process. CTZ is focused on partnership with the Romanians, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Agriculture Development Team, government and non-government agencies, Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), and components of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) to ensure enduring peace and stability in our province.
“Counterinsurgency is bringing all the factors together,” Hall said. “It’s bringing them all in and saying look this is where we are, here’s our goals we need to reach, and this is how we think we need to do it; then listening to their feedback.”
“It’s a comprehensive approach,” he said. “It’s a well thought out approach, well in accordance with counterinsurgency doctrine.”
“Most importantly it is counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, that will help us be successful,” Hall explained. “I am very pleased with everything I have seen in every part of Zabul so far,”
Hall said he has noticed many positive changes since his last trip to the province a few months ago.
“The city of Qalat seemed quite calm,” he said. “We drove through twice in Strykers and nobody noticed us or paid any attention to us; that is a good thing.”
“That tells us the people are not afraid that we bring violence,” he went on to explain. “It’s a good sign that they feel more secure, which in turn means they are going to trust their government more.”
Hall said he truly feels 2SCR has a real grasp on the feelings of the people of Zabul.
“What the command does really well,” he said. “is understand the people and how far we can push ourselves out there and be successful in reading the population.”
Hall’s trip to CTZ was one of many he does throughout the year. He spends most of his time visiting with Soldiers on the frontlines, talking with them about their mission and mentoring them in COIN fundamentals. Hall spends three to five days a week on battlefield circulation visits, taking the information he learns back to COMISAF and ISAF Headquarters in order to help improve conditions for the Soldiers in the field.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2010 01:36 |
| Story ID: | 54364 |
| Location: | QALAT, AF |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, CTZ Receives Visit from ISAF CSM, by SGT Gerald Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
