Photo By Sgt. Kyle McNally | Italian soldiers assigned to Regional Command - West observe the newly-completed Herat...... read more read more
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HERAT PROVINCE, Afghanistan – As part of a recent flourishing of development projects by the Afghan government, the newly-completed Herat International Airport officially opened its doors, Feb. 13.
Among those present at Monday’s opening ceremony were Dr. H.E. Daud Shah Saba, the Herat provincial governor, Dr. Abdul Zahir Faiz Zada, the head of the Herat provincial council and several Afghan National Security Force and Coalition commanders.
Also present was a delegation of coalition special operations forces, from Special Operations Task Force-West, which will inherit more development projects in the area as conventional coalition forces begin to withdraw.
Saba addressed a crowd of about 200, speaking on the merits of a unified Afghanistan and on the benefits of Herat’s new conduit to the rest of the world. Additionally, Saba emphasized how an international airport in this western province provided unlimited opportunity for future development and its importance as a venue for Afghans to continue taking on more prominent roles in the governance and development of the country.
“It would have been impossible to fulfill this project without the support of the Herat provincial council,” Saba said. “Now, by having this terminal, we have realized international aviation access with other countries.”
The new international terminal, which was constructed entirely by Afghan citizens, is part of an ongoing development plan that has been chartered over the next 50 years, Saba added.
The western provinces of Afghanistan have historically been a prominent geographic location, and have become increasingly important to the Afghan government as an economic artery. Roadways and ancient trade routes to neighboring countries and Eastern Europe flow through the west, which makes it an ideal location for the government to improve development and assist local business.
The airport is one of several ongoing projects meant to benefit the local populace. Others include the construction of the Shindand District Hospital, a project that recently broke ground, Jan. 28.
According to the provincial government, the new airport will give an international profile to Herat – a city known for its tradition of art and culture. Afghan forces, partnered with coalition SOF, will continue to foster development efforts in the future.
“The major focus for [coalition SOF] right now is to affect security, development and governance in Afghanistan,” said a representative with SOTF-West. “They’ll be working through the local government to address village issues.”
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2012 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 83881 |
| Location: | HERAT, AF |
| Web Views: | 366 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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