Afghanistan: Finding the Enemy and Communicating for Safety
Afghanistan continues is the word of the day in my mind. Here’s a recent even from earlier in December. An Afghan-international security force detained a couple of militants in Khowst province, one who was a Haqqani facilitator responsible for the shipment and distribution of weapons to other militant elements in the area. (Nice, huh? No wonder our boys are having such a rough time – even though we are doing well.)
The joint security force searched a compound near the village of Badal Kalay in the Nader Shakhot district where intelligence sources indicated he was located. The man identified himself and surrendered without incident. No shots were fired and no one was injured. Very good news.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan, provincial leaders and ISAF representatives met with the Farah province governor December 10, 2009 at his compound inside Farah City to discuss the current state of affairs. Representatives of the Afghan National Army, the Afghan National Police and National Directorate of Security also attended the meeting and discussed numerous issues including joint operations.
“I am very proud of our ANA and ANP who are risking their lives trying to protect us and our country from the violent insurgents,” Governor Rahool Amin said according to a press release.
The council also talked about the recent border disputes and smuggling issues.
“We man our posts 24 hours a day and have constant communications,” said Farah district ANP Deputy Chief Abdul Lattif. “We hear the problems of the people and we are trying to fix them, unlike the enemy who only wants to create more problems and more bloodshed for our people.”
The difference between us and the enemy is a really simple one. We care about the safety of the Afghan people. And that’s why we’re going to be victorious in the long run. Watch and see.
“Everything we do is intended with the best interests of the people,” said ANA Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akram Sameh. “We are set on stopping the destructive activity of the enemy and we will continue to fight alongside our counterparts wherever we are needed.”
It’s good to hear stuff like that coming out of Afghanistan if you ask me. The fight isn’t over by any means, but we’re making headway just like we did in Iraq. And that’s going very well if you look closely – lots of bridges being built, and schools, and more.
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New Road in Downtown Asadabad
A Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar patrol conducts a final quality assurance and quality check in downtown Asadabad on a new 4-kilometer road through the provincial capital prior to a dedication ceremony, Dec. 13, 2009. The Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar engineers did the check to ensure the Kunar Construction Company did a good job building the road. The project took nearly one year and approximately $1 million to complete. The hope for the new road is it will continue to spur economic development and job growth in the city. More than 50 provincial leaders and tribal elders gathered at the ceremony site after the QA/QC check to do the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Boisvert
Fazlullah Wahidi, Kunar provincial governor, speaks to the crowd following the dedication of a 4-kilometer road through Asadabad, the Kunar province capital, Dec. 13, 2009. The Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar engineers did a final quality assurance and quality check on the road prior to the ceremony to ensure the Kunar Construction Company did a good job building the road. The project took nearly one year and approximately $1 million to complete. The hope for the new road is it will continue to spur economic development and job growth in the city. More than 50 provincial leaders and tribal elders gathered at the ceremony site after the QA/QC check to do the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Boisvert
Commander NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Attends Staff Course Graduations
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, commander NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, attends the graduation of the Strategic Command and Staff Course and the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Command and Staff College, Kabul, Dec. 12, 2009. Photo by Senior Airman Brian Ybarbo
Cricket Match Promotes Youth Sports, Peace in Kunar Province
The Dam Kalay Tigers receive their winner’s gifts and trophies after a rousing performance in an exhibition cricket match to promote peace and youth sports in Kunar province, Dec. 11. More than 400 adults and children gathered on a cool afternoon in downtown Asadabad, Afghanistan, to watch the Tigers defeat the Kerala Eagles. U.S. Navy Cmdr. Leonard Remias, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, said the match was part of the ongoing effort to engage different segments of the population. Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Brian Boisvert