By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tiffany Evans
RC-East PAO
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – As the 1st Cavalry Division ends it time in charge of Regional Command-East. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commander of RC-East and Combined Joint Task Force-1, took time to share his opinions on the last year and give advice to the incoming team.
During February and March, Allyn and those under him faced some of the most difficult tasks of their deployment, which he said only amplified and strengthened their relationship with their Afghan National Security Force counterparts.
“It’s the strength of our relationship that has gotten us through these rough spots the last few weeks. In fact, the investment we make day in and day out from week to week played out as they rose to the challenges of the recent demonstrations. They’ve stepped in front of us in every single case,” Allyn said.
Allyn, a native of Berwick, Maine, also said the Afghan civil and military leadership rose to the challenge and talked with both tribal and religious leaders after the recent string of events. The ANSF communicated with their people in a calm and reassuring way letting them know they have the right to demonstrate, but they don’t have the right to demonstrate violently.
“It was quite amazing to watch how effective they were. They protected the people from many who were trying to incite violence,” Allyn said. “With the most recent incident [a U.S. soldier killed 16 civilians in southern Afghanistan] we’ve communicated with civil, provincial and ANSF leaders. They’ve said, ‘We’ve got this.’ That is a clear demonstration of the strength of our bond and I’d say the enduring strength of our bond.”
He compared the relationship of soldiers and their ANSF comrades to soldiers and their friends and family.
“Just as you develop lifetime relationships with your family and friends, they’re not truly strong relationships unless they can survive a tough spot,” he said. “This one has certainly survived several rough spots. It’s come out stronger.”
Many people at home and in Afghanistan are growing weary as we enter our 11th year in combat. Two of the most asked questions the public wants to know are: “Are we wasting our time, money and resources” and “Has there been any real progress or improvement.”
“We are making decisive progress in Afghanistan. The ANSF capacity development is accelerating and they’ll be in charge of spring operations.” Allyn said. “There is emerging stability across the transitioned areas of Afghanistan.”
Already there is a reduced capacity of insurgents to wreak havoc in Afghanistan, he continued. The growth in security and economic opportunity gives the Afghans hope for their future.
Two clear signs of Afghan sustainability in economic development in RC-East are the border crossings at Torkham Gate and Ghulam Khan. Both crossings have seen growth in their revenue despite no trucks with U.S. supplies coming through.
“Torkham Gate has seen a growth of $30 million in revenue over the past six month period. Since November, no NATO trucks have come through the pass, which was historically 50 percent of their commerce,” Allyn added. “Ghulam Khan has seen a 186 percent growth in revenue despite only a 37 percent increase in traffic.”
Both of these successes are testaments to procedures reducing corruption and generating revenue by following the rules the nation has in place, Allyn said.
This is Allyn’s first deployment to Afghanistan; however, he’s served on multiple deployments to Iraq. Afghanistan and Iraq are two very different countries when it comes to the people and economic situation.
“You’re speaking about a country that has very limited Gross Domestic Product right now as opposed to [Iraq], which has one of the larger oil revenues in the entire world,” Allyn stated. “When we talk about the dependence of a people, we’re talking night and day.”
Due to these factors, the amount of work in Afghanistan overshadows Iraq in terms of how far coalition forces must go to get Afghans to a self-containing capacity. In terms of commitment of the Afghan populace and their abilities to handle the tasks that lie before them, they along with coalition forces have quite a bit more road to travel before reaching their goal, Allyn continued.
“I have extraordinary confidence in the Afghan people; they’re a hard working people. They look after each other and they don’t shun hard work,” Allyn said. “I think what gives me optimism is the fact that over 80 percent of the battalion leaders and above and district chiefs of police and above across the country are strong leaders. When you have good leadership you can accomplish tough missions.”
No commander leaves an office or position without making sure their replacement knows the lay of the land, challenges they’ll face and tips to overcome adversity.
Allyn is no stranger to this. Before taking over RC-East the previous outgoing commander briefed him and gave advice. Now, he has his own words of wisdom to pass on to his successor.
Every day in Afghanistan is an opportunity and no two days repeat. Be vigilant and inspire your Soldiers to sustain their vigilance, teamwork and stalwart commitment to the mission and each other, Allyn said.
“This is a marathon. It’s not a sprint, but it’s a marathon at a very fast pace. You have to sustain your team, but also sustain your tempo against some pretty significant obstacles that get thrown in your way,” Allyn explained. “Keep your eye on the prize, which is a self-sufficient [ANSF], hope for the people of Afghanistan, and a self-reliant government that looks after its people. This is what you have to keep your eye on as you endure some of the body blows that will happen.”
Before leaving Afghanistan, Allyn would be remiss if he didn’t thank those who’ve worked under him this last year. He has nothing but words of praise of the coalition forces, Afghans and U.S. service members serving with him.
“Thank you to the coalition force allies and the courageous and indomitable spirit of our service members whose continued commitment to Afghanistan helps to further the sustainability movement,” Allyn said. Afghans are an incredible gracious people who recognize the extraordinary sacrifice of all Soldiers families and nations.
“For Command Sgt. Maj. [Isaia T.] Vimioto and all of the 1st [Cav. Div.] Team it’s been an honor to serve with you. Your stalwart service to our nation and these people of Afghanistan is inspiring.”
| Date Taken: |
03.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
03.23.2012 03:58 |
| Story ID: |
85672 |
| Location: |
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: |
BERWICK, MAINE, US |
| Hometown: |
FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: |
106 |
| Downloads: |
3 |
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