U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

Story by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos

SHAR-E SAFA, Afghanistan -- Airmen from the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team escorted and provided security for the provincial governor during a visit with local government and religious leaders at a compound here Oct. 25.

The visit was part of an on-going effort by the governor to meet more of the key leaders throughout the province.

Along with Army security forces personnel in support, U.S. Air Force Airmen headed up the convoy and planned the trip to a compound located in the southern portion of the province. The convoy consisted of vehicles crewed by Airmen, Soldiers and civilians, along with security teams provided by the Afghanistan national army and police force.

According to Maj. J.D. Loftis, the Air Force PRT information operations officer, this trip is one of many for the governor outside the provincial capital of Qalat.

"This trip, this meeting, is part of the governor's outreach program," said Loftis. "The governor has found it necessary to find a way to reach more of the outlying towns in the province, away from the main highway."

A mix of civilian agencies and U.S. military forces, the PRT works to promote conditions of self-sufficiency, enduring prosperity, and a secure, stable environment. The teams are an off-shoot of humanitarian operations units created in 2002. Part of the mission of the PRT is supporting the local government.

"Supporting local governance is part of the reconstruction effort," said Loftis. "The projects we enable support the government of Afghanistan's efforts to reach out and serve its people."

We also work hard to provide what support we can to the governor and to the local government," he said.

Normally the missions are accomplished with the Army security forces personnel driving and manning the defensive weapons carried on the armored vehicles. The Airmen from the team are trained alongside the Soldiers and can carry out the same missions when necessary.

"We can pull security for the team whenever we stop," said Master Sgt. Jason Jordan, an Air Force communications expert with the team. "Sometimes it's on foot and sometimes it's inside a gun truck.

We don't just have to stay inside the base working on communications," he said. "We get the same training the Army guys get, so we can work on the convoys along with the Soldiers."

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