Taking the helm: New PRT arrives in Kunar

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.26.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nicholas Mercurio
Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - In eastern Afghanistan, a vehicle convoy snakes its way along a blacktop highway skirting mountain slopes which flow down to the road before spilling out into a wide valley below Oct. 26.

From within the vehicles, eyes strain to take in the countryside through small, bulletproof windows as the members of the new provincial reconstruction team for Kunar province see, for the first time, the place which is to be their home for the next nine months.

Tension soon gives way to wonder as they pass neat stone walls parcelling the land into tidy squares while trees gracefully arch above the road overhead. “It feels like an elaborate simulation of Afghanistan, doesn’t it?” asks U.S. Army Capt. Ellis Stokes, outgoing Kunar PRT security force platoon leader and native of Baldwin, Pa.

A PRT is a civil-military organization designed to provide expertise across lines of effort aimed at assisting a host-nation government expand its capacity for governance, improve infrastructure and create a secure and stable environment. Kunar PRT, in addition to organic civil affairs and engineering assets, also incorporates partners from the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. State Department and a rule of law expert from the U.S. Department of Justice.

After spending nearly three months in rural Indiana training for their mission, the lush valley spread out before the incoming PRT bustling with agrarian life was a far cry from the image of Afghanistan, one of rugged mountains and barren, windswept plains, they had come to expect.

Turn-over

“Different isn’t better, it isn’t worse, it’s just different,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Habla of El Paso, Texas, outgoing Kunar PRT first sergeant, during the first combined staff meeting of the turn-over period. “You all did an outstanding job this past year, now it’s time to help these guys out so they can continue your good work.”

Over the following days, members of the outgoing PRT provided mentorship to their replacements to maintain continuity, continue established relationships and ensure promises are kept.

“It’s important that the transition is seamless, that the new team is picking up where we left off,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Mark Edwards, outgoing Kunar PRT commander and native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “And that the people of this province believe we are still doing good work.”

During the turn-over period, PRT engineers travelled to various projects to conduct quality assurance checks while the civil affairs team headed to downtown Asadabad, the provincial capital, to meet various line ministers and department heads they would interact with on a daily basis. On a foot patrol through the city Oct. 30, the new PRT demonstrated its commitment to be visible and amongst the people while conducting operations in support of the Afghan government. They found people to be warm and engaging and, more importantly, in touch with their government.

“We have to get out and live and work amongst the people,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. William B. Goss of Edgewater, Md., Kunar PRT commander. “Everything we do is focused on the Afghan people, and the way we do business is always by, with and through the Afghan government.”

Loose ends

For the first time in recent memory, children in Lahore Dag were excited to go to school Oct. 28. That morning, they didn’t have to wake up as early, and they wouldn’t have to walk nearly as far. Thanks to a promise kept by the Kunar Provincial government, the children no longer had to travel to other villages to attend school; there was a brand new one in their backyard.

“When I came here three months ago, I was devastated,” said Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi, provincial governor of Kunar province, at the Lahore Dag Middle School opening ceremony Oct. 28. “The children had to walk five kilometres to attend school, and many didn’t go at all. Today they have a new school to receive an education and secure a brighter future for themselves and for Afghanistan.”

The Lahore Dag Middle School in the Marawara District of Kunar province was the second of 32 schools scheduled to be built by Wahidi’s administration.

“I’m proud of the Afghan contractor; he did a great job,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Jessica Brick of North Tonawanda, N.Y., outgoing Kunar PRT engineer. “It feels good to see this project finished.”

The outgoing PRT also witnessed the completion of a project carried over from the PRT they replaced nine months ago. Wahidi cut the ribbon Oct. 31, signalling the official opening of the Nowabad-Khas Kunar Road, a 38-kilometer stretch of blacktop highway one year in the making.

Later, during the road-opening ceremony at the Sarkani District Center, a group of Afghan girls performed a song for the assembled crowd. They sang of their love for Afghanistan, and their desire to be free.

Transfer of authority

At a ceremony held on Forward Operating Base Wright Nov. 3, Edwards legally and symbolically transferred his authority as commanding officer of Kunar PRT to Goss with the passing of the PRT guidon.

“It’s called a transition of authority and not a change of command because the work never stops; the new team picks up exactly where the other left off,” Edwards said.

During his remarks, Edwards thanked Wahidi for his support and dedication, and added, “These [Afghans] seated here are the true leaders of Afghanistan. Please continue the partnerships we have enjoyed with Goss and his team.”

For his part, Goss said that there was much work to be done, but he and his team look forward to the challenge. “We have had a seamless transition. We are going to continue the relationships; improve reconstruction, governance, stability, and achieve everything that you deserve.”

• Date Taken: 10.26.2010
• Date Posted: 11.11.2010 13:34
• Story ID: 59931
• Location: KUNAR PROVINCE, AF