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By Army Staff Sgt. David Hopkins
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - International Security Assistance Forces announced the opening of an improved road and the closing of a combat outpost in two separate ceremonies, Feb. 5, in Konar province, Afghanistan.
After $3.9 million and more than two years of construction the road in Deywagal Valley was built with the combined efforts of the Unique Builders Construction Company, Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Provincial district governments.
Navy Cmdr. Murray Tynch, Konar PRT commanding officer from Edenton, N.C., spoke of the benefits of the new road and how it will allow the ability to provide security and basic medical care to remote areas of the province. Tynch also emphasized how the road will decrease the risk of improvised explosive devices on these routes and improve trade in and out of the rural areas.
The 11-kilometer road is ready for traffic and the Combat Outpost Seray, which provided security for the road construction crew, is no longer necessary, showing progress in the region, the commander said.
"In the past you were only dreaming of the road," Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, governor of Konar province, said. "Now we see it and drive on it. We have all sacrificed for the road and paid a high price. We paid this price for access to schools, hospitals and markets."
The original idea of improving the road began when 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, was in the area for Operation Enduring Freedom Seven in 2006, and has come full circle now that they are back to see the completion of the project. The unit saw the need for development in the area and spoke with elders about what they wanted and needed. The road and COP were the result.
"We saw that it was an isolated valley and seemed to be very poor," 1st, 32nd Inf., Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Carabello, from North Andover, Mass., said. "When we met with the elders they said they wanted two things: A new road and security by coalition forces during the construction. That valley has a great deal of potential and we came through on our promise."
The opening of the road is important because it will allow the Afghan people the ability to take a larger role in their future and allow them to better access to markets and commerce, the sergeant major added.
"Through the road we are providing the people access to the government," Carabello said. "This is a great success for the people of Afghanistan. It will also allow them to get to markets easier."
Now that the road going through the valley is complete COP Seray is no longer necessary in the area for protection and is being closed down.
"This was a huge success," Army Maj. Kendall Clarke, executive officer for 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, said. "We can hand over the road to the Afghan government and they will have to continue with security in that area, allowing us to focus on other areas."
The completion of the road through the Deywagal Valley is not the end of road work in the province and COP Seray will not go to waste. The construction company will take over the outpost and will use it as they continue roadwork in the province.
"The UBCC will continue construction to connect the road to the Korengal Valley," Clarke said. "Then what was once a six-hour drive will only take 30 minutes."
ISAF is turning over direct security of the valley to the Afghan government, but 1st, 32nd Inf., will continue to have a presence in the province.
"We will be turning over security of the road in that area to the government, but 1st, 32nd Inf., will continue giving support throughout the Konar province," said Clarke. "They will still be there to help as they continue making progress in the province."
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2009 08:19 |
| Story ID: | 30068 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 279 |
| Downloads: | 254 |
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