Kunar PRT conducts first mission with new agriculture division

Photo By Master Sgt. Christopher Marasky | U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Travis Gray, a native of Camp Mabry, Texas, provides security at the National Army Volunteer Center in Asadabad May 14. The PRT visited the NAVC and the Mandacol Nursery during its first mission with its new agricultural section. Gray is a member of the Security Force element for the PRT, and is deployed from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry (Airborne) out of Austin, Texas.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WRIGHT, AFGHANISTAN

05.22.2012

Story by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WRIGHT, Afghanistan - Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar welcomed its newest members to the team with its first agricultural mission May 14.

Members of Agricultural Development Team Kunar merged with the provincial reconstruction team to bring the missions of provincial reconstruction and agricultural development together under one team.

The move to consolidate personnel as the military looks to draw down forces across Afghanistan makes perfect sense according to Cmdr. Michael Yesunas, PRT Kunar commander.

“Afghanistan is a largely agrarian society, so one of the key ways we’ll be able to help connect the people of Afghanistan with their government is through agriculture and farming,” he said.

The team visited both the National Army Volunteer Center and the Mandacol Nursery during its first mission together, one location native to each team’s missions.

Throughout the day the mission showed how seamless the transition has been for the members of the ADT coming over to the PRT.

“The transition over has been very smooth for us,” said Maj. Fred Oehler, PRT Kunar agricultural officer in charge. “There are a number of ag projects where the PRT has had projects in the past, so this will help reduce some of the redundancy between the two teams.”

The addition of the agricultural section to the PRT means new missions, but the team is excited to have the new members said Yesunas.

“We’re very happy to be getting such experienced professionals to the team,” he said. “I know they are going to make significant contributions both to our mission and to the nation of Afghanistan and we look forward to working with them.”

• Date Taken: 05.22.2012
• Date Posted: 05.23.2012 05:57
• Story ID: 88852
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE WRIGHT, AF