Photo By Maj. Mark Graff | Incoming members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah disembark a C-130 Hercules...... read more read more
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FARAH, Afghanistan - Army National Guard members from Charlie Company of the 1-182nd Infantry Division from Braintree, Mass., have been charged with the unique mission of providing security for Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah.
Divided into three squads, the soldiers, known as “SECFOR” or “security force”, are responsible for providing escort and security to PRT members on outside-the-wire missions.
“Our goal on every mission is to get the job done and right. That means getting to our objective safely, establishing a security perimeter when necessary and interacting with the Afghans,” said Army 2nd Lt. Joel Beaulieu, PRT Farah SECFOR platoon leader.
The PRT is responsible for extending the counterinsurgency principles adopted by the U.S. military and the SECFOR is highly involved in this aspect. One of the tenets of COIN is positive and frequent interaction with Afghans, something that the soldiers have become adept at.
“We understood early on that to do our job effectively, we were going to have to interact with the locals; not turn a blind eye,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Marshall, PRT Farah SECFOR platoon sergeant. “It’s not complicated. We just want to talk with them, be respectful when we’re around and do what we can to help and that’s what we try to convey.”
Just as interacting with Afghans is important during missions, so too is ensuring that a security perimeter is implemented and maintained throughout the mission. Missions range from quality assurance visits at engineering project sites to holding key leader engagements with government officials. Without a secure area in which to work, PRT members would be hard-pressed to effectively conduct their interactions and work with the Afghans.
“The SECFOR guys are essential. Without them, we would have a much more difficult time getting the job done,” said Navy Lt. George Roland, a PRT Farah engineer. “Having them watch my back gives me the confidence to focus on what I need to do.”
“Outside-the-wire” missions require the SECFOR members to conduct extensive preparation of weapons, vehicles and gear and planning and review of each mission. From start to finish, all of those elements can easily, and frequently, fill up the work-day.
PRT Farah, a joint unit comprised of service members from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force and a handful of civilians, operates from Forward Operating Base Farah, just outside of Farah City, the provincial capital.
PRT units serve nine month rotations before turning over to replacements.
The PRT’s mission is to support economic development and effective governance at the district, municipal and provincial level in Farah province in order to enhance GIRoA’s legitimate authority and its ability to provide basic services to the people of Farah.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2011 00:09 |
| Story ID: | 75063 |
| Location: | FARAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, National Guard unit serves vital role on Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Team, by Maj. Mark Graff, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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