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Soldiers of Alpha Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion have been working with the Afghanistan National Border Police recently to find a good setting for a proposed joint combat outpost.
Capt. Bradley Smith, the company commander, along with his Soldiers, has been assessing sites and getting to know the ANBP who currently keep the area secure.
One of the proposed sites was once a forward operating base used by the Soviets back in the late '70's early '80's
"We looked at the old Russian FOB, but we want to look at a couple of other places also," said Maj. Cloyd Smith, the operations officer from the battalion's headquarters. "I want to build up the city and install the ANBP commander and Capt. Smith here. We want to be set up and prepared before anything happens."
The process of building a combat outpost does not happen overnight and there are many provisions that must be in place before building can begin.
"We were told if we provide electricity we might be able to move into the customs building temporarily, for the three to four months that it will take to build the joint combat outpost," Maj. Smith said.
In the past the military has worked directly for governors and built up and improved areas, he said.
That's the way it should be, not just here, but all over Afghanistan.
The JCOP will house members of the United States Army and the ANBP together. The ANBP will be from their quick response force company.
Major Ismatula, commander of the QRF Company from the ANBP's 3rd Kandak, or battalion, was actually the commander that came here and freed the people in this area from the Taliban a few years ago, said Smith.
"My men have been impressed with his men and with the commander himself," Smith explained.
Ismatula has been a military commander in Afghanistan for nearly 16 years.
Many topics were discussed and agreements were made during the meeting, however, they are still in the beginning stages of getting the mission completed.
"Now is the time I should use your ideas and you help us with the technology," Ismatula said. "Since you are our guests we want to protect you."
The mayor of the city also plays a key role in helping to acquire buildings and land for the placement of the JCOP.
"This is a very important place here, very important to Afghanistan," said Kasinajibullah, mayor of Heyratan, a city near the proposed JCOP. "Many security forces are living here and working for us. I'm working very hard to keep the railroad secure."
The kandak here is professional and good at their job, according to Kasinajibullah. They responded various threats and problems from accidents to rocket propelled grenade attacks.
"My intelligence and security forces are working very well and doing a good job," Kasinajibullah said. "Within a few days we discovered the people responsible for a recent RPG."
Kasinajibullah expressed appreciation to the U.S. Forces for building up the Afghanistan security forces.
"Without you helping us we would not have the security forces," he said. "Any place you chose I will be of service and I will help."
The mayor believes Afghanistan has hope for a good future.
"If at least each company of the U.S. Forces work with each Afghan company, Afghanistan will be a good country," Kasinajibullah said. "We appreciate you. You left your home and families to help us. We appreciate it."
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2010 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 49330 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 205 |
This work, Finding placement for a new joint combat outpost, by PFC Cynthia Teears Van Cleve, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
