Afghan Air Force distributes goods to Afghan contractors

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.05.2011

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Walker 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

KABUL, Afghanistan - Members of the Afghan Air Force, along with advisors from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, distributed goods to Afghan civilians working on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul Jan. 5.

Over 100 Afghan civilians were on hand to receive rations of sugar, rice, beans, cooking oil, clothing and school backpacks. Items that help workers support their families, said AAF Col. Abdul Basir, the AAF religious and cultural affairs officer.

Col. Basir, who came up with the idea for a food drive, stressed the need for the contractors to be taken care of.

“Everybody that works here, the Afghan officers to the coalition advisors, are trying to take care of the personnel that work for them. We want to try to help them and their families. At least we can say that by doing this we have given them rice, beans and clothing. Maybe this is enough for them for two or three nights,” said Col. Basir.

And though it may only be enough for a few nights, the workers were happy to receive the aid.

“I really appreciate what I received today from the Afghan Air Force. The goods help us provided for our families,” said Abdul Basir, a driver for the Afghan Air Force Firefighters, who makes 3,500 Afghani, or 80 dollars, a month.

Col. Basir believes that assistance missions such as this will help bind the Afghan people to the military, saying that the Afghan people remember well those who care for them, and provide support for those who likewise support them.

• Date Taken: 01.05.2011
• Date Posted: 01.05.2011 07:06
• Story ID: 63032
• Location: KABUL, AF