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KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Service members are trained in the art of fighting using many different types of weapons at their disposal. Weapons of war may win battles, but there is much to be said for winning the trust and confidence of local people as well.
Recently, soldiers from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, were able to forge those important bonds of confidence with Afghan key leaders and the Sarkani district governor, Gov. Shamamood, Sept. 18 near Forward Operating Base Joyce in Kunar province.
The key leader engagement was coordinated with the governor to maintain open channels of communication and to discuss current and future projects for the village.
“I’ve got a pretty good relationship with [Governor] Shamamood and the line directors out there,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Emmanuel Batara, platoon leader of 1st platoon, Bravo Company. “In a sense [we’re] just trying to do positive things for the community.”
The battalion’s commander U.S. Lt. Col. Colin Tuley; company commander, U.S. Army Capt. Jacob Hughes; an assistant S2 officer, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brent Whitehead and a member of the civil affairs team were also present at the meeting.
Open channels of communication are essential to keeping a solid bond with the local people in the area.
“At times it’s breathtaking to see how humble the locals are,” said U. S. Army Spc. Rene Ruiz, a civil affairs specialist assigned to the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion from Encino, Calif. “It’s just a matter of getting out there and communicating effectively with the local populace.”
The Tropic Lightning team and the governor discussed a variety of topics to include a past project of getting a drinking water well fixed and a current project of acquiring an AC/DC converter to augment the villagers’ medical facility in the hopes of eliminating power problems.
Although talking through a translator may be difficult, the team managed to elicit smiles from the governor and his people which made things that much easier.
“I think it’s an excellent way to continue to develop relationships,” said Whitehead. “The opportunity to share a meal and talk about things outside of the normal everyday business of running the district and the concerns they’re facing and getting more on a personal level helps.”
The governor and the key leaders sat together and discontinued business for the time being.
The aroma of Afghan cuisine cut through the tension like a well-honed saber and soon all those present were talking and laughing amicably.
“Its good hospitality all around,” said Batara, native of Salinas, Calif. “Those guys understand that we’re here to help.”
“It’s really humbling to have the locals nationals embrace us,” he continued. “Here in the Sarkani area, especially with [Governor] Shamamood, it’s like an open embrace to coalition forces.”
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2011 08:26 |
| Story ID: | 77521 |
| Location: | KUNAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 210 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Afghan governor hosts lunch for Tropic Lightning, by Luke Graziani, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
