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PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Leadership from the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Oklahoma National Guard Agribusiness Development Team met with key personnel from the Afghan National Army 203rd Corps, Nov. 4, to discuss opportunities for increased ANA leadership in addressing local issues.
“Every week, we want a mission with you,” said ANA Col. Syed Wagif Shah, commander of the Religious and Cultural Advisors for the 203rd Corps. “We will be more successful and move forward easier if we work together.”
Paktya PRT has worked throughout the province for nearly seven years, and integrating the Afghan government and Afghan National Security Forces has been a key factor in their successes. The main purpose of the PRT is to help the Afghan government increase its legitimacy in the eyes of its people. The Paktya PRT accomplishes this mission through the integration of Afghans, at all levels, in development and security operations.
“The Afghan government and security forces must be in the lead with everything we do,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Marchal Magee, Paktya PRT commander from Issquah, Wash. “This is their nation, and their people must build that connection and trust in their government. The Afghan military is growing into an effective and capable force and we are just here to mentor and aid them where they need our help. Continued partnership with the ANSF will build the mutual trust and respect this nation needs to ensure their future.”
The first joint operation following the Nov. 4 meeting took place Nov. 9 and consisted of a humanitarian aid delivery for distribution to Afghans living in the Waze Zadran District. ANA soldiers loaded the food and blankets into cargo trucks at Forward Operating Base Gardez Nov. 8 and delivered the supplies jointly with the Paktya PRT to Combat Outpost Wilderness the following day.
“ANA forces are critical to the PRT mission to help bolster our security and provide that local understanding of the security situation and culture not inherent in our own forces,” said Magee. “ANA forces, over the next year, will be vital to our escort and development mission throughout the province.”
Future operations will continue to give the GiRoA and ANSF the opportunity to take the lead, demonstrating to the residents of Paktya they are ready and able to continue the long term development and protection of their province.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2010 13:03 |
| Story ID: | 59844 |
| Location: | PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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