Kapisa PRT, TF Lafayette partner to reach development goals

SAROBI DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

11.28.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

SAROBI DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Members of Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team and Task Force Lafayette went to Sarobi District and southern Kapisa Nov. 26 - 28 to inspect several key projects and sites for future development projects identified by Kapisa PRT civil engineers and U.S. Agency for International Development representatives.

The joint mission was important for the future of development in southern Kapisa and Sarobi District, as its successful completion indicates that an area where the Taliban once had a foothold is rapidly returning to normality.

“This mission was a first for the PRT,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Sierco, Kapisa PRT commander and native of Bowie, Md. “Such all-inclusive joint TF Lafayette and PRT missions were not possible just a few months ago, where they are now becoming the norm.”

Sierco said the PRT and TF Lafayette share a very close working relationship, which is imperative to accomplishing the mission. “The people of southern Kapisa have endured prolonged hardships in the past, and through our actions, we are striving to change that,” he said. “This is just the first of many combined missions to help the people of Kapisa.”

During the three-day mission, the team was able to view progress made on two key projects as the PRT seeks to facilitate increased governance and security in Kapisa and Sarobi.

“The Tagab-to-Sahezgzadagano road has been paved. Where before it was a goat trail and very difficult to travel, the people up in the area are now able to travel down to Sarobi, so it’s a positive influence for them,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Seth Platt from Pomfret, Conn., chief of engineers. “The road looks pretty good, and it stops just short of Pol-e Naghlu Bridge, another project that is going to be really good for vehicular traffic.”

U.S. Army Maj. Anthony Killa of Plano, Texas, a Kapisa PRT senior leader, said the improved security situation allowed them the opportunity to get into the area for the first time since February 2009.

“Overall, I would say my assessment of Kapisa province and Sarobi District is that there are really only about four districts in this area that have security concerns,” he said. “We had other missions going out to Pachagun Valley and Ghayn Valley while we were on this mission down south. Based upon previous guidance, there were some concerns with security in those two valleys, but after recent missions to those valleys, we can see that security is certainly further along and is better than was anticipated.”

Especially important to Killa was that the PRT saw the locals securing their surroundings, a good indicator the areas are well along their way to being self-secured.

“Security is essential in allowing for governance and development resources to flow into the area,” he said. “Our USAID representative, Eric Jacob, was also able to have a very productive meeting with the elders from a couple of villages in Sarobi District.”

After working with the village elders, Killa said it looks like there is the potential for future development projects in the area. The PRT will work with the Kapisa Development Council to see if these are projects that can move forward.

“Events are taking on a life of their own here in a very positive way for the residents of Kapisa and Sarobi,” Sierco said. “Each time the government is able to complete a project and each time the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police work with TF Lafayette or on their own in an operation against insurgents, it has an effect greater than the sum of each of these missions individually.”

Though he was unsure of what he was getting into when training began, Sierco said as time passed, he received intelligence reports that indicated positive results in the area that echoed events happening across Afghanistan. “Through the hard and continuous work of the governments of Kapisa and Afghanistan, Lafayette and the previous and current PRT, a lot of things are coming together,” Sierco said.

The Kapisa PRT commander further described the insurgent leadership in Kapisa and Sarobi is really reeling from the actions of the ANA, ANP and TF Lafayette.

“However, I use the term ‘leadership’ somewhat sarcastically as these guys are heading back to Pakistan for the winter and leaving their guys in the field, undermanned, underequipped and in a bad situation,” Sierco said. “It really looks like they’re trying to save their own skins since they know that, if anything, we’re going to increase operations through the winter while they’re having some pretty serious supply issues and infighting. It’s not surprising that we’re seeing insurgent units all over the country negotiating with the government to reintegrate.”

As the Kapisa PRT continues to work with the French and Afghan security forces to secure gains made this summer and fall, a lot of progress occurred during this mission.

“I was able to look at possible aide projects [to be] implemented,” said Eric Jacob of Roseburg, Ore., USAID field program officer for Kapisa and Sarobi. “I got an idea of the area and possible future missions to check up on those projects.”

Jacob said the overall the mission was a success; the PRT got to meet with some key individuals, see the terrain and determine what is necessary as the government in Kapisa and Sarobi moves forward.

“From the USAID side, [this mission was] extremely successful, we were able to get into two villages … we had never been in before,” Jacob said. “Both of them have been on the drawing board for potential projects with USAID now for months and we were able to meet with village community leaders to discuss these smaller-scale projects.”

According to Jim Morris, Kapisa PRT’s Department of State representative from Chappaqua, N.Y., a lot was accomplished during this mission in terms of evaluating past and future development projects. Sarobi, in particular, proved to be a very stable area where the PRT and government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan could accomplish a lot.

“It’s a challenging place to get around because of the mountains and the scenery, but it’s a beautiful place and I think the PRT can do a lot there,” Morris said.

Kapisa PRT will continue to help support the Afghan and French combat operations by supporting the government of Kapisa and Sarobi working more closely with the residents of each area.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2010
• Date Posted: 11.30.2010 13:26
• Story ID: 61102
• Location: SAROBI DISTRICT, AF