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February 20, 2006
Embedded training teamshelp ANA soldiers towardself-sufficiency
Page 8
Embedded training teamshelp ANA soldiers towardself-sufficiency
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Page 2 Freedom Watch
Contents
Army Spc. Garrett Shephard organizes mail atBagram Airfield to be distributed throughoutAfghanistan. With Southern European TaskForce Soldiers leaving, the post office hasbeen extremely busy taking care of last-minute packages Soldiers are sending home.Shephard is a postal clerk with the 501stPostal Company.
Photo by Army Spc. Brian Schroeder, Combined Joint Task Force - 76 Public Affairs
Page 3: IG teams ready to assist service members
Page 4: ANA soldiers confiscate explosives
Page 5: Afghan military academy welcomes second cadet class
Page 6: New school empowers Afghan work force
Page 7: ‘Big Windy’ honors fallen comrades
Page 8: Embedded trainingteams help ANA soldierstoward self-sufficiency
Page 10: White Devils trainAfghans on mortars
Page 11: From Soldiers to statesmen: a new frontier for combat arms
Page 12: PRT, USAID repair 80 kilometers of road from Charikar to Baharak
Page 14: Around the Services
Page 15: Photo page: U.S., Coalitionforces finish half marathon
February 20, 2006 CONTENTS
Cover: A U.S. military policeman conferswith an Afghan National Army soldier at thescene of an improvised explosive devicedetonation. ANA members helped providesecurity for the investigation team andassisted in searching and interviewing peo-ple in the area.
Photo by Air Force Capt. Dave Huxsoll, Office of Security Cooperation - Afghanistan
Dari/Pashtu phrase of the weekDari/Pashtu phrase of the week
Afghan cultural tidbit
Where are my friends?
DariDoostani man kuja hastand?(Dos-tani-man-ku-ja- has-tand)
PashtuZama malgari chairta di?(Za-ma-mal-gari chair-ta-di)Afghan cultural tidbit
Attan is Afghan dancing. There are three kinds of attan: wardaki, logari and khosti.Wardaki consists of body movements and has no clapping but a lot of turns and twists.Logari uses clapping and full turns of the body in place. Khosti consists of head move-ments. The head is snapped side to side.
February 20, 2006 NEWS Freedom Watch Page 3
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan-- A new inspector general team is hereand ready to serve service members.
The new Combined Joint Task Force -76 inspector general team comes fromthe inspector general office from the10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum,New York. They are not new toAfghanistan having performedOperation Enduring Freedom inspectorgeneral duties from 2003 to 2004.
Army Lt. Col. John Elwood and ArmyMaster Sgt. Brian Warren form the newCJTF-76 inspector general team atBagram, Afghanistan.
Service members and Department ofthe Army civilians must remember thatin order to help solve problems, IGsrecommend the following:
Be sure you have a problem; notjust a pet peeve.
Give your chain of command achance to solve your problem.
If IG assistance is needed, contactyour local IG team first.
Be honest and don't provide mis-leading information.
Keep in mind IGs are not policymakers and can only recommend, notorder a resolution.
IGs only resolve cases based onfact.
The CJTF-76 IG is located in the JointOperations Center in room 203. Thephone number is 231-2716 or 231-4028.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Segada willconduct inspector general duties atForward Operating Base Salerno.Segada's phone number is 851-1134.Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Isaac willconduct inspector general duties atKandahar Airfield. Isaac's phone num-ber is 841-1702/1703.
Inspector general teams ready to assist service membersCombined Joint Task Force - 76 Inspector General Office
Army Lt. Col. John Elwood talks with a Soldier in his office. Elwood is thenew inspector general for Combined Joint Task Force - 76.
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Aircrew from the 2ndSquadron, 6th Calvary,walk the flightline inJalalabad after a missionsupporting 2nd Battalion,3rd Marine Division.
Photo by Army Capt. Kelsey Smith , 2ndSquadron, 6th Calvary
If you have high-quality photosof service members supportingthe Coalition mission or enjoy-ing well-deserved off-dutytime, please e-mail them to [email protected]. Please include full identifi-cation and caption information,including who is in the photoand what action is takingplace.
Page 4 Freedom Watch February 20, 2006 NEWS
FORWARD OPERATING BASESALERNO, Afghanistan -- AfghanNational Army soldiers and Ministry ofDefense agents are increasing their aware-ness and ability to protect the peoplethrough early detection and prevention ofimprovised explosive devices.
With these skills, they identified andstopped two trucks containing explosivemateriels in Jalalabad on Jan. 26, effective-ly stopping what could have been a deadlyincident.
Acting on a tip, Afghan soldiers identi-fied two trucks as suspicious and detainedthree drivers. An investigation revealedthat the three drivers had been paid inPakistani currency to deliver 1,500 poundsof ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel --which can be combined to make explo-sives -- to Jalalabad. A specific target wasnot identified.
"This is exactly the kind of effort need-ed to keep the Afghan people safe," saidArmy Col. Pat Donahue, commander ofTask Force Devil. "This was a great exam-ple of Afghan military forces proactivelyfighting terrorism before it happens."
ANA soldiersconfiscateexplosivesCombined Joint Task Force - 76 Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Afghan and Coalition forces cap-tured the leader of an improvised explosive device cell in Kandahar city Feb.7.
Afghan police and army troops raided a compound in Kandahar and, with-out firing a round, captured Muhammad Zai, who is suspected of manufac-turing and supplying IEDs to insurgents.
Afghan security forces foiled multiple suicide and roadside bombing plotsin southern Afghanistan in recent weeks.
"Their aim is to not only disrupt the insurgents' ability to conduct furtherIED attacks, but to also send a strong message that the (Afghan NationalArmy and Afghan National Police) will not tolerate further attacks,” saidArmy Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force - 76.
Afghan-led mission captures IED CellCombined Joint Task Force - 76 Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghani-stan -- Afghan National Police andCoalition forces detained four mem-bers of the Taliban in GhazniProvince on Feb. 5.
They were taken to the Ghaznidetention center for questioning.
"This was a joint operation betweenthe ANP, Coalition forces and theAfghan people," said Army Col. PatDonahue, commander of Task ForceDevil. "We were able to apprehendthese four based on information givento us from the provincial coordinationcenter in Ghazni."
By centralizing emergency effortsand facilitating the flow of informa-
tion among the ANP, Afghan NationalArmy, Afghan government, Coalitionforces and the Afghan people, provin-cial coordination centers help Afghanleaders run their districts andprovinces. It's important for Afghanand Coalition forces to continue toemphasize their need to work with vil-lagers, Ghazni Gov. Sher Alam said.
The Coalition's two operationalregions, Regional Command East andRegional Command South, each haveseveral control centers, with plans tobuild one in every major city.
Meanwhile, Ghazni's governor saidhe continues to discover new uses forhis control center, including holdingintelligence briefings for leaders ofANP patrols.
Four Taliban members captured in Ghazni ProvinceCombined Joint Task Force - 76 Public Affairs
Enduring VoicesWhat have you done supporting Operation Enduring Freedom?
Air Force Senior AirmanPhilip Esmeli, 755thExpeditionary CivilEngineer Squadron"I have made the standardof living better on BagramAirfield for Soldiers,Airmen, Marines, Sailorsand civilians."
Army Spc. James Atkins,Combined Joint TaskForce - 76 movementcontrol team"I unloaded pallets of foodfor Soldiers, Airmen,Marines and Sailors."
Army Pfc. Jason Noakes,2nd Battalion, 504thParachuate InfantryRegiment"We provided security totowns so they could buildroads and shops to improvethe economy.”
Army Staff Sgt. EvelynCharles, Headquartersand HeadquartersCompany, Joint LogisticsCommand"I provided logistical sup-port for the Joint LogisticsCommand and its subordi-nate units."
KABUL, Afghanistan -- More than 200 men from acrossAfghanistan are now in their fifth week of training at theNational Military Academy of Afghanistan.
They arrived on Jan. 21 to become the school's second cadetclass in as many years.
The men were selected from more then 1,000 applicants whotook the academy's entrance examination in November.
The 250 candidates who scored highest on the exam, whichincluded mental and physical challenges, were offered oppor-tunities to earn four-year engineering degrees and commis-sions as second lieutenants in the Afghan National Army.
The cadets, who are between the ages of 18 and 23, willincur 10-year service obligations upon graduation.
"The ANA needs these young men," said ANA Brig. Gen.Hasamuddin, the academy's commander of cadets.Hasamuddin, like many Afghans, uses only one name. "Theyare the best and brightest Afghanistan has to offer, and thetraining and leadership they learn here will help make theANA a strong and capable army."
The cadets will undergo seven weeks of basic combat train-ing. Later, they will take numerous engineering courses andstudy military leadership, ethics and psychology. The militaryacademy also teaches cadets how to work together.
"This school brings together young men from everyprovince and allows them to build bonds and work alongsideeach other toward a common goal," said ANA Col. HamdullahYousfzai, the academy's dean. "This is important for the futureof this army and this nation."
Located on the grounds of a former flight technology
school, the academy is modeled after the United StatesMilitary Academy in West Point, N.Y. It officially opened inFebruary 2005 with a class of 120 cadets.
Besides a free education, the cadets earn $20 a month, freebooks, supplies, housing and food during their four years atthe academy. For some cadets, the appointments fulfilled alifelong dream.
"I have wanted to join the army since I was a little boy," saidNawabi, a cadet from Jalalabad. "I now want to do my best tomake my country successful and make my family proud."
February 20, 2006 NEWS Freedom Watch Page 5
Afghan military academy welcomes second cadet class
New cadets listen to instructions from an Afghan NationalArmy officer at the National Military Academy ofAfghanistan in Kabul.
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew BatesOffice of Security Cooperation - Afghanistan Public Affairs
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Page 6 Freedom Watch February 20, 2006 NEWS
QALAT, Afghanistan -- More than 30 students graduatedfrom a basic computer class at a new vocational school Jan. 18 atthe Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team base in ZabulProvince.
The students of all ages received their graduation certificatesand were ready to use their newly acquired skills as members ofthe Afghan work force, or they can return to the school to attendan intermediate-level class.
The school, which offers courses in computers, carpentry, weld-ing, electrical systems, auto mechanics, rug weaving, nursing,emergency medical technician, driving, plumbing and English,has had nearly 200 students graduate.
Students don't just leave with a certificate; they also leave witha starter kit of supplies or tools needed to work in their respec-tive fields.
"The Qalat PRT believes this vocational school is moving theAfghan work force forward," said Army Lt. Col. ThomasGoodfellow, commander of the Qalat PRT. "There is a … will-ingness from the youth of Zabul Province (to take) a substantialinterest in the future of themselves as well as Afghanistan."
The school, which is open to women and men, solves a crucialproblem in the Afghan work force, Goodfellow said. It enhancesthe marketable job skills of the province's work force.
Many of the provincial reconstruction team's projects wereusing Pakistani workers because contractors could not find qual-ified Afghan workers to fill the jobs.
That's when the PRT decided to train the Afghan workers so
they could benefit from their own country's progress. The PRT'spilot program was well received, and in November, 290 studentsenrolled, of which, in addition to the original 200, 180 have grad-uated. The program will soon be moving forward with a secondsemester and has more than enough students to fill the class-rooms.
American Soldiers didn't just come up with the idea; they arealso teaching classes. The opportunity to teach in Afghanistanhas also given the Soldiers a sense of personal gratification.
"This assignment is the one I have enjoyed the most through-out my military career," said Army Sgt. Robert Noe, one of theschool's teachers from the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, who hasserved in the military for 13 years.
The eagerness with which the Afghans seek educational oppor-tunities makes teaching the courses fulfilling, Noe said.
The program has been so successful that the school has had toturn away many students.
There's more than education at stake, Goodfellow said. It's alsoabout achieving a more far-reaching goal.
"Putting young and old Afghans to work mitigates the effect ofthe Taliban regime," Goodfellow said.
The class started Nov. 5 as a way to mitigate the historicaleffects of unemployment during the nonconstruction wintermonths, he said. The school was born out of necessity to fillskilled labor positions with the contractors bidding onCommander's Emergency Response Program projects; it was anatural fix as well as a needed skill set for Zabul.
Afghans' here are demonstrating their belief in moving forwardtoward peace and leaving the past behind, Goodfellow said.
By Army Spc. Jon H. ArguelloTask Force Bayonet Public Affairs
New school empowers Afghan work forceAn Afghan boy is congratulated during his computer-class graduation ceremony in Qalat on Jan. 18. The graduation'sopening remarks were made by Zabul Gov. Del Bar Jan Arman.
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February 20, 2006 NEWS Freedom Watch Page 7
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The five crewmem-bers who died when their CH-47 Chinook crashed April 6 wereremembered in a dedication ceremony on Bagram Airfield Jan.30.
The crewmembers of aircraft Big Windy 25 were honored inthe dedication of the Task Force Aviation Life Support SystemsMaintenance building, or the Big Windy 25 Building.
"Personally, and from the bottom of our hearts, this was theleast we could do for our fallen comrades," Army Chief WarrantOfficer Roberto Torres said at the ceremony.
Torres is a CH-47 pilot and the officer in charge of Task ForceALSS Maintenance with F Company, 159th Aviation Regiment,12th Aviation Brigade.
"They died serving a country they believed in," said Army Col.Mark McKearn, commander of Task Force Griffin and the 12thAvn. Bde. "They may be buried at different locations, but theirsouls left them here, so it's only fitting that they be memorializedhere.
"May God continue to bless the families of these Soldiers andthe Soldiers of Big Windy," McKearn said.
Finally, a plaque was unveiled dedicating the facility with thenames of the fallen Army crew: Chief Warrant Officers ClintPrather and David Ayala, Staff Sgt. Charles Sanders, and Spcs.Michael Spivey and Pendleton Sykes II.
The crew and passengers were on their way back from a resup-ply mission in southern Afghanistan when the helicopter encoun-tered a sand storm and crashed south of the city of Ghazni.
A total of 16 Coalition personnel, including three employees ofKellogg, Brown and Root, were on board the helicopter when itcrashed.
By Army Pfc. Vincent Fusco20th Public Affairs Detachment
‘Big Windy’ honors fallen comradesP
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Army Sgt. Brian Mcfarland, left, and Army Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Hays unveil a sign honoring the Army crew ofChief Warrant Officers Clint Prather and David Ayala, Staff Sgt. Charles Sanders, and Spcs. Michael Spivey andPendleton Sykes II. The Soldiers were on board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter when it crashed April 6. Sixteen people,including 13 Coalition personnel and three employees of Kellogg, Brown and Root, were killed in the crash.
Army Col. Mark McKearn and Army Chief Warrant OfficerRoberto Torres share a moment of silence during a dedica-tion ceremony at Bagram Airfield on Jan. 30. The ceremo-ny honored five crewmembers who died when their CH-47Chinook helicopter crashed April 6.
Page 8 Freedom Watch FEAT
Embedded training teams helpANA troops to self-sufficiency
FORWARD OPERATING BASEORGUN-E, Afghanistan -- The pro-fessional development of AfghanNational Army soldiers doesn't endwhen they leave the Kabul MilitaryTraining Center.
Wherever ANA soldiers are deployedacross Afghanistan, whether conductingcombat operations alongside Coalitionforces in the south and east, or securityand stability operations in the north andwest, they do so accompanied by U.S.embedded training teams.
At Forward Operating Base Orgun-Ein Paktika Province, Army Maj. DonnieKelly's team of 11 officers and non-commissioned officers from Task ForcePhoenix train and advise the men ofthe ANA's 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade,203rd Corps.
"An ETT's job is to mentor, train andadvise the ANA," explained Kelly, whois the ETT chief there. "Our job is totrain the leaders and NCOs so that theyunderstand and know how to conduct
army business themselves.""My team has truly been embedded
with the ANA," Kelly said. "FromMarch until November, we lived on anANA forward operating base. TheETTs were the only U.S. presence onthe compound."
In November, the unit moved toOrgun-E, where it worked with the U.S.Army's 1st Battalion, 508th ParachuteInfantry Regiment.
The embedded teams there are a mixof U.S. Army National Guard andReserve Soldiers. In civilian life they arepolice officers, business owners andpharmaceutical salesmen, as well as amortgage broker, a chemist, a schoolteacher and a fire academy instructor.
The 2nd Kandak includes threeinfantry companies, a weapons compa-ny and a headquarters company.
Two trainers are embedded with eachcompany. Six mornings a week theyjoin at formation, take attendance andthen begin training. The training pro-gram, which comes from the AfghanMinistry of Defense and is based onU.S. Army doctrine, is determined by
Afghan operations and mission require-ments.
"Generally, classes in the morning aretaught by the embedded trainers, andclasses in the afternoon are taught bythe ANA," Kelly said. Kelly typicallymeets with the kandak commander afterthe morning formation to discuss issuesor problems. Throughout the day, thetrainers are meeting with and workingwith their companies.
"But one thing to remember (is that)no day is a typical day with the ANA,"Kelly said. "It constantly changes."
Soldiers of the 2nd Kandak regularlyjoin members of the U.S. Army's 1stBn., 508th PIR, as well as militarypolice stationed at Orgun-E, on mis-sions in the area. ANA soldiers accom-pany military police on route clearancepatrols. They also provide security forengineers building roads in the area andmeet with mayors, elders and chiefs ofpolice to discuss the security situationand development projects and gatherinformation. In addition, they assistCoalition troops by searching villages.
"We like to have the ANA go on all
Coalition mKelly said.are proud oand its suc
In an engsoldiers frostrated theivised exploU.S. Humvensued. A Military Posoldiers arrAfghan or
AccompaCapt. Chucprovided 3vehicles anassisted in
"We're wpoint wherthemselvesknowledgeing to passout of the to do anythcan do them
By Air Force Capt. Dave HuxsollOffice of Security Cooperation -Afghanistan
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Afghan National Army members andU.S. military police from ForwardOperating Base Aned respond to thescene of an improvised explosivedevice detonation and firefight inPaktika Province on Dec. 25.
Army Capof the unit
February 20, 2006 Page 9TURE
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missions, if at all possible,"The people of Afghanistan
of their army - its progresscesses.gagement on Christmas Day,om the 2nd Kandak demon-ir capabilities when an impro-osive device detonated near avee and a brief firefightquick reaction force of U.S
olice and a company of ANArived on the scene. NoCoalition forces were injured.
anied by their trainer, Armyck Niblack, the ANA soldiers360-degree security, searchednd people in the area, and
questioning witnesses.working to get the ANA to are they can do (things) fors," Kelly said. "We have thee and experience and are try- that on to them. We operatemindset that we don't want
hing for the ANA that theymselves."
pt. Clay Ballenger, embedded trainer for the Afghan National Army’s Headquarters Company, 2nd Kandak, speaks with memberst.
Army Capt. Chuck Niblack, an embedded trainer, gives instructions as Afghan National Army sol-diers search people following an improvised explosive device detonation.
Page 10 Freedom Watch February 20, 2006 NEWS
FORWARD OPERATING BASESALERNO, Afghanistan -- Dozensof Afghan National Army soldiers from1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 203rd Corps,qualified and received certificates forcompleting mortar training here Jan.26.
The soldiers were trained by para-troopers from Headquarters Company,2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute InfantryRegiment, on correct maintenance, fir-ing and safety procedures for Russian82 mm mortar systems.
After four days of training, the non-commissioned officers of HeadquartersCompany tested the Afghan soldiers'ability to hit targets about 600 metersaway. Paratroopers from Task ForceWhite Devil have worked frequentlywith ANA troops to help them hone
their infantry skills."I'm glad to teach them because the
more they have control of their skills,the more it will prove that we are suc-cessful in our mission of teaching themto take care of their country," saidArmy Sgt. Heriberto Precastre, aHouston native and mortar squadleader with Headquarters Company.
The paratroopers and ANA soldierswere not sure how the mortar systemswould function during their first live-fire drill, and the first few rounds land-ed far beyond their expected targetarea, but with the help of their men-tors, the soldiers were soon landingrounds on target.
"Their equipment isn't standardized,so training with them helps themunderstand all of the different sys-tems," Precastre said.
A short break in the training took
place as commanders from both TFWhite Devil and the ANA's 1st Kandakpresented the soldiers with certificatesfor successfully completing the training.
Once they received their certificates,the soldiers went back to firing, honingtheir skills to defeat the enemies ofAfghanistan.
"Our soldiers are happy to shoot mor-tars and train so that we may challengethe enemies of Afghanistan," saidAfghan Lt. Col. Abdul Hamed, theintelligence officer for 1st Kandak,through an interpreter.
As ANA soldiers play a more promi-nent role in operations, it seems as if alleyes are on the soldiers and their abilityto defend their country.
"This training will give them a greatadvantage -- they won't need indirectfire support from us. They can do itthemselves," Precastre said.
By Army Sgt. Chuck D. MesekeTask Force Devil Public Affairs
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White Devils train Afghans on mortars
Afghan National Armysoldiers from the 1stKandak, 1st Brigade,203rd Corps, fire mor-tars during a live-fireexercise Jan. 26 atForward OperatingBase Salerno.
A U.S. Soldier supervises Afghan National Army soldiersfrom the 1st Kandak during a live-fire exercise Jan. 26.
February 20, 2006 FEATURE Freedom Watch Page 11
FORWARD OPERATING BASESHARANA, Afghanistan -- Neverbefore have combat arms Soldiers carriedso many responsibilities during war.Today's Soldiers must not only be able toaccomplish all their infantry duties, butalso be skilled statesmen.
One example of this is the Soldiers inthe battalion mortar platoon, part ofHeadquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 1st Battalion, 508th ParachuteInfantry Regiment.
"Before Afghanistan and Iraq, we wor-ried mainly about fighting the enemy,clearing rooms and other normal infantrytactics," said Army Sgt. 1st Class GeorgePullen, the battalion's mortar platoon ser-
geant. "Now however, we are politiciansworking on bringing peace and prosperityto these countries."
A mortar platoon is trained to carry outinfantry tactics and mortar responsibili-ties, Pullen said. Now mortar and othercombat arms Soldiers also receive train-ing about how to deal with local leaders.
The Soldiers have trained Afghan sol-diers and police officers, organizedrebuilding projects, and mediated fortribes, elders, mayors, police chiefs andthe governor. First Lt. Araon Lee, theSoldiers' platoon leader, said that whiledoing these tasks, they still performedpresence patrols, gathered intelligence,went on offensive operations with theAfghan National Army and other normalduties.
"One of our main projects has been tohelp the local mayors run a (repatriation)program," Pullen said. "We are workingtogether to get (insurgents) to cut theirterrorist ties and (pledge) themselves tothe Afghan government."
While meeting with local leaders,Soldiers gain intelligence about insurgentmovements all over the province and sus-pects who may be leading these move-ments.
While meeting with Mayor Haji AbdulSahtar Merezawkwel, of the Yayah KhelDistrict, on Feb. 4, the Soldiers gainedintelligence on two people who Coalitionforces have been looking for and learnedof an important meeting thatMerezawkwel had been part of thatmorning.
By Army Spc. Tiffany Evans20th Public Affairs Detachment
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Army 1st Lt. Aaron Lee and Army Sgt. 1st Class George Pullen talk to Afghan National Police officers after visiting themayor of Yayah Khel in Paktika Province. Lee and Pullen serve with the battalion mortar platoon of Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
From Soldiers to statesmen: a new frontier for combat arms
PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghani-stan -- Villagers here are seeing theircommunity's transportation systemimprove thanks to the partial completionof a road construction project coordinat-ed through the Panjshir ProvincialReconstruction Team.
Using funds from the United StatesAgency for International Developmentand the Commanders EmergencyResponse Program, the PRT is workingto repair roads from the villages ofCharikar to Baharak, a distance of 80kilometers.
The $24 million repair project is vital tothe survival of the people and improvinglocal police and emergency services in thevalley, said Army Maj. Paul Johnson, thePRT executive officer from the 431stCivil Affairs Battalion in Little Rock, Ark.
The basic goal of the project is to pro-vide stable roads the people can easilymaintain, Johnson said.
"If we don't build an infrastructure thepeople can maintain, (the infrastructurewill) fall to pieces again," Johnson said."We don't want that."
Most young people in the valley need towork on farmland or in town, Johnsonsaid.
The roads will improve job and travelopportunities, and assist farmers in mov-ing their crops into more markets.
The side roads to the valley also arebeing built up. In June, summer floodscompletely washed out the bridge to thevillage of Obdurah.
At least 600 families could no longercross the river without using unsafe goatbridges or hiking five hours to the nextbridge. The Army Corps of Engineers isassigned to work with the PRT inrebuilding the bridge, a project made apriority by Haji Buhlol, the governor ofPanjshir Province, said Army Staff Sgt.Raymond Loriaux, the noncommissionedofficer in charge of Civil Affairs Team-Afrom the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade in
San Antonio.To assist in drainage during the flood
season, the team came up with the solu-tion of placing four metal storage con-tainers under the road to Obdurahbehind the bridge.
Contractors from Panjshir Provinceworked on the $45,000 bridge reconstruc-tion project, and dug a drainage pool andretaining wall needed to complete theproject.
"They said, 'We're doing this for thepeople; we want to do it right,'" Loriauxsaid.
Where there were once goat trails to get
from place to place, there are nowsmooth, wide roads that have increasedthe range of travel for the people ofPanjshir Province.
"We take it for granted when we driveup to work," Johnson said. "There arepeople who walk an hour to work eight-to-12-hour days, then walk home to feedthe animals, take care of crops and sur-vive at home.
"We're building an infrastructure to aideconomic growth," Johnson said. "Morethan 85 percent of the people here growcrops. If you have no access to markets,why grow anything?"
Page 12 Freedom Watch February 20, 2006 FEATURE
A heavy equipment operator repairs part of a road that stretches from the vil-lages of Charikar to Baharak, a distance of 80 kilometers.
By Army Pfc. Vincent Fusco20th Public Affairs Detachment
PRT, USAID repair 80 kilometers of road from Charikar to Baharak
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February 20, 2006 Freedom Watch Page 13FEATURE
QALAT, Afghanistan -- Few infra-structure projects inject the Afghanpeople with as much hope for a stableand healthy life for their families as anew hospital.
Along with many of the new roadsand bridges built during reconstruc-tion, a new hospital will bring thathope to a new level for the people liv-ing in southern Afghanistan.
Zabul's governor, Arman; his direc-tor of women affairs, Dr. Gul Nar;Qalat's provincial reconstruction teamcommander, Army Lt. Col. ThomasGoodfellow; and a group of represen-tatives from the United Arab Emiratestoured the Regional Teaching Hospitalto evaluate the benefits the hospitalwill provide for the community.
"The hospital is strategically locatedbetween Kabul and Kandahar and willprovide the middle provinces ofAfghanistan with a full service hospitalwith state-of-the-art equipment,"Goodfellow said. "But this hospital ismore than a place for Afghansthroughout Zabul Province to seekhealth care, it's a milestone symboliz-ing the strong foundation being builton which a future prosperous, secureand healthy nation will grow."
The United Arab Emirates fundedthe construction of the hospital.
Local contractors built it and installedthe $4 million worth of equipment.Coalition forces escorted the equip-ment from Kandahar Airfield.
"The complete project was a classicexample of inter-agency cooperation,"Goodfellow said.
U.S., UAE and Afghan personnelplayed an important role in the successof the project, Goodfellow said.
The new facility holds up to 130
patients and includes a level-one trau-ma center, which provides treatment toa trauma victim and helps them sur-vive any injuries the victim sustained, amajor and minor surgery facility, pedi-atric and neonatal care, and full servicedental care.
The hospital is truly a sign ofprogress for the Afghan people, thecolonel said.
"The people of Afghanistan will beforever grateful to all involved inbuilding this hospital," Arman said."The facility is very impressive, and it'sbeautiful to see where the country isgoing."
Goodfellow agreed with the gover-nor's assessment.
"The (locals see) the provincial gov-ernment moving the region in a posi-tive direction. That's invaluable here,whether it's with a hospital, bridge orschool.
"There's more to a hospital thanhealth care. A hospital brings peoplehope and hope can turn into vision. Ifwe can get all Afghans to share a com-mon vision, there's no end to whatAfghanistan can do for itself,"Goodfellow said.
By Army Spc. Jon H. ArguelloTask Force Bayonet Public Affairs
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New hospital symbolizes Afghan progress in south
Army Dr. (Maj.) John Drobnica inspects new incubator at Zabul RegionalTeaching Hospital. He is the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team’s doctor.
Army Lt. Col. Thomas Goodfellow and Governor Arman's chief of staff, GulabShaw, inspect the new dental equipment at Zabul Regional Teaching Hospital.Goodfellow is the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team commander.
Page 14 Freedom Watch February 20, 2006 AROUND THE SERVICES
CAMP BULLIS, Texas --A world-renowned cardiolo-gist and university vice presi-dent, Dr. Ward Casscellsjoined the Army at age 53 andled the service's research onavian flu before graduatingFeb. 3 from his officer basiccourse.
Casscells is a teacher, doctorand champion of humanitari-an relief, with countless hoursspent tending to victims ofhurricanes, tsunamis and ter-rorist acts. His studies haveled to breakthroughs in cardi-ology, and his years ofresearch on avian flu are nowdeemed cutting edge as apotential pandemic begins toloom.
With more than 30 years ofaccomplishments behind him,Casscels traded his lab coatfor a uniform in June andjoined the Army Reserve as acolonel.
"People told me I was tooold, not physically fit enoughor won't be senior enough tobe able to do anything inter-esting," Casscells said. "Noneof that was true."
While the decision may haveseemed abrupt to many of hisfamily and friends, it was along time coming forCasscells.Army tops bright career
The Delaware native hasforged a career many peersrespect and admire. He wentto Yale University inConnecticut, then to HarvardUniversity in Boston, wherehe earned his medical degree.After his residency, he workedat the National Institutes ofHealth in Bethseda, Md., forsix years. From there, hemoved to Texas as chief ofcardiology at the University ofTexas-Houston MedicalSchool, where he helped drawa connection between heartattacks and the flu, then
branched out into avian fluresearch.
In his limited spare time,Casscells served on PresidentGeorge W. Bush's health careadvisory committee, at theforefront of humanitarianrelief efforts such asHurricane Katrina and the2004 Asian tsunami.Battled cancer
With a full work and familyschedule, Casscells was busierthan ever. But, his busynesscame to an abrupt halt onenight in 2001, after he felt agrowth in his abdomen. It wascancer.
"It was bad," Casscells said."I went through five years ofchemotherapy and radiation.After I went through that, Iwanted to do things I hadn'tdone before."
He decided on a path whilecleaning out a closet.
"I saw my dad's tattered olduniform. He served four yearswith (Gen. George S.) Pattonin World War II. I figured ifhe could give four years of hislife, I could give three monthsa year as a reservist."
The idea became a realityafter he was medically clearedto enter the Army Reserve. Hejoined last summer and wasalmost immediately activatedas the Army had an urgentneed for someone with avianflu expertise.
"Lieutenant General KevinKiley (U.S. Army surgeon gen-eral) mobilized me to his com-mand. He recognized the seri-ousness of the bird flu andwanted the Army to be pre-pared," Casscells said. "I vol-unteered to go to the Middleand Far East to do surveil-lance."
During a whirlwind tour,Cassells traveled alone toplaces like Cairo, Egypt;Beijing; and Bangkok,Thailand, to scope out thepossibility for a widespreadoutbreak.
"Bird flu is poised to be an
explosive problem," Casscellssaid. "I give Gen. Kiley a lotof credit for wanting to be atthe forefront of medical plan-ning."Officer Basic Course at 53
After months abroad,Casscells made a much shortertrip from his Austin, Texas,home. In January, he traveledto San Antonio to attend thetwo-week Reserve OfficerBasic Course at Fort SamHouston. The course is gearedtoward medical professionalslike Casscells, with attendeesfrom all walks of medical life,from nurses and pharmaciststo psychiatrists and surgeons.
Run ragged with training, asleep-deprived and physicallyexhausted Casscells foundOBC to be, surprisingly, oneof the biggest challenges ofhis life.
"This course is 'shock andawe' for me," he said. "Ihaven't been this tired andintimidated since I was anintern. It's scarier, moreintense than I thought."
The instructors plan it thatway.
"Many of these officerscome from privilege orworked their way throughschool, but still don't knowwhat it's like to do without,"said Army Capt. DarrenTeters, course instructor."They've never been without ashower for two or three daysor had their food limited.
"But we have to train themthe same as privates," headded. "Whether doctors ornurses, they will have respon-sibility and will have to rely onwhat they learn here."
The officer-students rangefrom second lieutenants tocolonels, with varying degreesof success in the civilian sec-tor. Rank and job status, how-ever, have a limited role atOBC, Casscells said.
"There are very talentedpeople attending this course,"Casscells said. "They may notall have big, high-paying civil-ian jobs, but I'm struggling tokeep up with them."
Despite some trepidation,Casscells passed the coursewith flying colors and graduat-ed Feb. 3.
"We (class members) are allso proud to have gottenthrough it," he said.
"As a teacher, I've beenenormously impressed withhow seriously the instructorstake training," he added. "TheArmy attracts better peoplethan you expect and trainsbetter than you can believe."
Finished with training,Casscells can now resume hisesteemed career. But, hisfuture plans are unlikely togarner fame or fortune.
"I volunteered to go toIraq," he said. "I don't want tobackfill; I want to go to whereI'm most needed. And, doc-tors are needed in Iraq."
By Elaine WilsonFort Sam Houston Public Information Office
Renowned cardiologist trades lab coat for uniform
Army Dr. (Col.) Ward Casscells prepares for a marksman-ship test Jan. 26 while receiving last-minute advice fromretired Army 1st Sgt. John Kearney, an Officer BasicCourse instructor, at Camp Bullis, Texas.
Phot
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ine
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on
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan --More than 200 service members andcivilians ran a 13.1-mile race in thethin air of Bagram Airfield's 4,900-footelevation Feb. 5.
The race began at 6 a.m. with tem-peratures in the low 30s. Participantsincluded runners from Poland, theNetherlands, Egypt, South Korea,Norway, Australia, Canada and theU.S.
Korean Marine Capt. Soo-Yong Kirtwon the men's division and a civilian,Holly Moerer, won the women's divi-sions.
February 20, 2006 PHOTO PAGE Freedom Watch Page 15
By Army Sgt. Douglas DeMaio20th Public Affairs Detachment
Coalition service members and civilians prepare to run a 13.1-mile race at Bagram Airfield on Feb. 5. Among themore than 200 participants were runners from Poland, the Netherlands, Egypt, South Korea, Norway, Australia,Canada and the U.S.
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Freedom WatchFebruary 20, 2006
“Real victories are those that protect human life, not those thatresult from its destruction or emerge from its ashes.”
-- King Hussein IThe father of modern Jordan
