GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Providing security for the next Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni rotation falls to Texas Army National Guard soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment.
PRT Ghazni’s security force started training for their mission to Afghanistan in July 2011 before joining PRT Ghazni staff in Oct. 2011 at Camp Atterbury, Ind., to complete final training prior to deploying Feb. 28.
“The annual extended combat training we received at McGregor Range, N.M. was geared towards the deployment,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Garcia, 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment SECFOR squad leader.
Since arriving at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, SECFOR has been working constantly to prepare for missions, provide security to FOB Ghazni and PRT members while on mission, maintain their equipment and vehicles, and provide sling-loading expertise for the FOB airfield.
“We are here to help the Afghans take control of their own country and establish a working government that will be sustainable in the long run,” said Sgt. Ty Wenglar, 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment SECFOR medic. “I feel it is a worthwhile cause and I’m proud to be part of this historical change.”
The U.S. PRTs are joint interagency units drawing from the Army (active and reserve component), Navy, Air Force and Army National Guard. As well as incorporating U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State and U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives. Each PRT works in a specific province in Afghanistan functioning as a bridge between the Afghan government and the people, ultimately building a better Afghanistan. Additionally, PRT Ghazni is a uniquely combined PRT where its U.S. component works side-by-side with their Polish counterparts.
“It is important to act professional, maintain our situational awareness and composition at all times out here, especially with all the negative acts that have been done lately,” said Staff Sgt. Jozef Retana, 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment SECFOR team leader. “This shows the Afghan people that the acts of some Americans don’t represent all Americans, and we are here to help.”
SECFOR’s tactical expertise allows PRT specialists to oversee various projects in the reconstruction efforts underway in Ghazni province.
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2012 03:31 |
| Story ID: | 87436 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,137 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, 1-143rd Infantry security force guards PRT Ghazni missions, by TSgt April Quintanilla, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
