American, Afghan Women Discuss Future

By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 12, 2007 - Several influential Afghan women from Laghman province met earlier this month with U.S. Army and Air Force women to discuss their role in the future of their province. "(Afghan women) talk to each other, to their children and their husbands, and that is a very powerful way to get information spread throughout the province," said Air Force Capt. Heather Kekic, Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team public affairs and information officer.

The Afghan women work for the Laghman provincial governor either as program directors or teachers. Sept. 5 marked the second time they met with the American women, and they talked with the aid of an interpreter. This meeting provided a chance for the Americans to educate the Afghan women about the various humanitarian and security programs available to them and their communities, she said.

The Afghan women always look forward to meeting with their American sisters, said Sharin Taj, Laghman province's director of women's affairs.

"We get attached to the women here," Taj said through an interpreter. "We get together and get to know each other, and that friendship is very important."

So are the discussions. Among topics discussed were future reconstruction and humanitarian aid projects, the possibility of women's meetings in local villages, and personal safety and security.

"They are very concerned about the security within the province," Kekic said. "They are just like us in that they want their roads to be free of bombs. They do not want their families hurt or killed by the violence."

A few women said they have received threats because of their jobs for the governor. One woman reported that her son had seen strange men with rockets walk along the river bank, while another woman spoke of her fear every day to walk along roads in her village.

The Americans shared phone numbers for the provincial coordination center (similar to 911 service in the United States) and provided information about quick response teams. They also implored the Afghan women to call if they or family members see anything suspicious.

"We have suffered a lot, but we all want the same things," Taj said. "We want freedom, just like the rest of the people in Afghanistan, and we want education, good families and good jobs. All of these things are very important."

She added that sacrifices made by the American women are not lost on any of the Afghan women.

"You can ask any female in the village," Taj said. "We know that (the Americans) have left their families, their children and husbands to come here and help the people of Afghanistan. This is a very honorable thing, and we really appreciate that."

(Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein is assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs.)

Afghan Cadets Intern with Army Corps of Engineers

By Master Sgt. Mark W. Rodgers, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 4, 2007 - Four Afghan National Army cadets have finished a two-week internship program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here. The cadets are third-year students at the National Military Academy Afghanistan here. The academy, with more than 700 cadets, is modelled after the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. The internship, which ended Aug. 30, was the brainchild of Army Maj. Richard Gash, a civil engineering professor at West Point. He worked at the Afghan academy this summer developing future academic courses. U.S. Military Academy cadets participate in a similar internship program with Army Corps of Engineer districts in the United States.

"We have cadets from West Point every summer," said Nova L. Robbins, program manager with the Afghan National Army. "We are going to turn it over to (the Afghan cadets) someday; why not mentor them?"

Afghan cadets are required to select from one military and one civilian discipline to study. "We had four choices: civil engineering, computer science, English and law," said Cadet Shafiq Mohammad. "We need many engineers, and this (to me) is the top class at the academy; this is why I chose engineering."

During their two-week internship, the cadets worked and interacted with numerous units. Cadets who participated in this inaugural internship program spent half of their annual month-long school break with the Corps of Engineers Afghan Engineer District. They were selected from 18 of their Afghan peers to learn about various aspects of engineering. Selection was based on academic performance and leadership potential.

The cadets selected represented the multi-ethnic diversity of Afghanistan, U.S. officials said.

The eight-hour-a-day, six-day-a-week schedule held the cadets to an aggressive program that challenged them to interact in every area. The cadets were paired into teams, with each team spending a week each working in the field and in an office environment. All assignments and hands-on training were designed around existing and future Afghan Engineer District construction projects for the Afghan National Army.

"The cadets had many questions, and you answered them", Afghan Col. Hamdullah Yousfzai, dean of education for the National Military Academy Afghanistan, said through a translator.

During their week in the field, cadets visited multiple construction project sites with Afghan Engineer District engineers and construction representatives. The cadets reviewed and compared plans for existing structures to stimulate thought and dialogue, officials said.

The office portion split the week between programs and project management, and engineering. Hands-on practical exercises required the cadets to prepare their own conceptual plan for an Afghan National Army dining facility expansion and upgrade. This was followed by participation in a review of their conceptual design, and walking them through a typical architectural design review.

In addition, the cadets reviewed contractor technical proposals and project scopes of work, assisted in preparing the scope of work for a new contractor, reviewed project design and building of the Afghan National Army dining facility, and were introduced to the operations and maintenance side of facility engineering.

"I think the cadets now understand how properly maintained facilities support their operational mission," said Jeffery B. Wheeler, operations and maintenance program manager for the Afghan National Army.

Getting the cadets to think about architecture from the customer's perspective was one of the challenges.

"I tried to break it down to things they would understand, giving them military terms they can relate to," said Chester Nakamura, architecture team leader. "You have an awesome responsibility designing things for people; ... now they have something to relate to."

(Army Master Sgt. Mark W. Rodgers is assigned to the Afghanistan Engineer District of the Army Corps of Engineers.)

International Military Engineers Work Together in Afghanistan

By 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 27, 2007 - Afghans and multinational forces are working hand in hand on a variety of construction projects here. Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy); 1st Construction Company, 100th Republic of Korea Engineering Group; and Polish 1st Engineer Brigade are working together to construct metal building systems, known as K-Spans; roads; ditches; culverts and sewage lagoons.

Task Force Pacemaker Headquarters Support Company soldiers led by Army Capt. Eric Parthemore support the battalion and manage multinational force missions.

Polish engineers provide additional capacity and leadership to multiple construction projects. Polish soldiers led by Polish army 1st Lt. Radoslaw Telezynski are working to improve roads by ensuring that proper drainage and sewage structures are constructed before the rainy season begins. The Polish army has been deployed in places such as Lebanon, Syria, and Africa to support many humanitarian missions since the war on terror began.

"I didn't know what to expect or what missions we would have, but working with American soldiers has been a great experience. They have been very helpful," Telezynski said. "I have been able to learn different training techniques from the American soldiers and compare them to our techniques. I changed our technique to what works best to accomplish the mission successfully."

Polish Pfc. Rafaz Sobon agreed. "This is my first time deployed," he said, "and it has been a new and interesting experience. We learned about different cultures in class, but it is better to learn from first-hand experience."

First Construction Company from the Republic of Korea focuses on K-Span construction. Korean engineers are especially meticulous and bring a "vertical construction" capability to the command that it did not have, Parthemore said. The company is commanded by Korean Capt. Bo Geol Choi.

Once completed, the K-Spans will enhance maintenance operations and provide more space for supply support activity here. Even though K-Spans are not common in Korea, the soldiers were previously trained by civil engineers in their country, Choi said.

"We are very proud to be part of this mission. Our main goal is to bring the proper engineering assets for future coalition forces," he said. "There have been a few challenges over the language gap as well as different working systems, but overall, the construction progress and the relationship with American forces are going well."

Korean soldiers Sgt. Chi-Keun Lee and Cpl. Min-Gi Kim agreed. They said it is fun learning about different cultures, even though sometimes they have to use hand signals to communicate.

"The addition of Polish and Korean engineers along with Afghan contractors gives our task force a tremendous capability that we do not normally have," Parthemore said. "Simply working on a single job site with engineers of four nationalities working together toward a common goal is very satisfactory. Also, our common understanding and respect for safe operations keeps us accident free despite the communication difficulties."

(Army 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz is assigned to the Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office.)

Servicemembers Volunteer to Convoy Supplies to Needy Afghans

By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 4, 2007 - Every other week, servicemembers from all branches of the military conduct convoys from this base to deliver clothing and supplies to needy Afghans in the surrounding areas. But they're not doing it because they have to. They're doing it because they want to help. "These are military and coalition members who volunteer," said Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Weber, Camp Eggers garrison chaplain. "They participate on their own time and at their own risk to do something good for the people of Afghanistan."

The chaplains on Camp Eggers have organized the deliveries as part of a community relations program. Working with local religious leaders, as well as various government and relief agencies, the program organizers plan their missions to deliver aid to areas most in need of the assistance.

Under the program, servicemembers visit a new location every two weeks. Once a location is determined, the organizers and volunteers meet a few days before the trip to sort the items sent over from the United States.

"Donations come in mostly through word of mouth, from people stationed here telling others back in the States," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Hays, religious program specialist and chaplain's assistant. "We get donations from schools and churches, too."

Normally, the group averages about 20 large boxes filled with clothing, personal hygiene items, medical supplies, school supplies, food and blankets. Recently, the group donated about 2,000 pairs of shoes to a local village.

"Putting smiles on these young people's faces, that's the main thing," said Hays. "If we can win the younger generation's hearts in this war [against terrorism], we'll be able to win this war because the younger ones will be taking over for us. Show them kindness and that kindness can be returned."

During a recent trip to a refugee camp, the volunteers interacted with the Afghan families who showed up to watch them unload the boxes. Some military members passed out candy and soccer balls, while others gave high-fives and danced with the children.

A few translators were on hand, including Mohammad Khan, assistant director of Sozo International, a U.S.-based relief agency that supports this particular camp, which contains 585 families. Each of those families average six to 10 members.

Khan said many of the displaced Afghans had been living in Iran and Pakistan, as well as throughout Afghanistan, before ending up at the camp.

"This plot of land was designated to put about 13,000 [displaced] families," Khan said. "As you can see, they are pretty isolated out here from the rest of the population. The wind and the sun make this place very difficult to live. Their greatest need is for water and shelter. They were provided a water pump, but the hand pumps are not working properly out here. They are now getting their water from a tank and distributing water that way."

Khan said that the camp's mullahs appreciate the donations from the Americans. "They understand that the Americans bring what they can offer and they are thankful for that," he said.

Navy Capt. James Fisher, Combined Security Transition Command Afganistan chaplain, said he is proud of the volunteers and the work they do for the Afghan people.

"We do want to help those who are in need," Fisher said. "In a large sense, this represents the heart of America to the people here. When you see this country brutalized by war and the Taliban, who are thugs and thieves who kill people, you don't see much spirituality. You don't see much compassion. These soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors are just good-hearted military people. They want to make a difference."

(U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein is a journalist assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs.)

Why We Serve: Navy Lieutenant Promotes Volunteerism

By Meghan Vittrup
American Forces Press Service

July 26, 2007 - Growing up in Mobile, Ala., Judith L. Lemley never imagined being in the military. But after graduating with a bachelor's degree in secondary education, Lemley was inspired to follow in the footsteps of her father and enlisted in the Navy. "My father was proud of his time in the military, and he spoke highly of it," Lemley, now a Navy lieutenant, said.

Lemley enlisted 15 years ago and received her officer commission after completing the Limited Duty Officer Program.

Lemley has deployed four times on ships in the Persian Gulf and recently returned from a seven-month tour to Afghanistan, where she helped train Afghan National Army soldiers to use and maintain field radios.

The Afghan soldiers' training also incorporated cryptography to secure communications. It also established automatic link systems so soldiers could communicate without having to change wavelengths throughout the day.

After taking initiative and looking over program cost projections, Lemley was able to carve out $240 million, saving 41 percent over initial projections, when she realized things were being purchased haphazardly.

"I came in and said, 'Nope, I'm going to take this over," Lemley said. "And I carved it out, and I said, 'You know what? This is what we are going to do. We are not going to buy all this excess; we are going to trim the fat and make it happen.' And that's what we did; we stayed focused. What you save in one area someone can always use in another."

Lemley is one of eight servicemembers who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa selected to share their individual stories to Americans across the country through the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" public outreach program.

The "Why We Serve" program was initially the idea of Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The program began in fall of 2006. Groups that comprise two military servicemembers from each branch are selected to participate in the program for about 90 days.

"My experience will only help other people grow and stir interest to support the troops, and that's what it's about," Lemley said.

Holding a leadership position in the military, where women only make up a small percentage, can be a challenge. But training Afghan soldiers in a country where women and men are not treated equally can be intimidating, she said.

"The part I find fulfilling is that I did have to meet with (Afghan National Army) generals and colonels on an almost daily basis, and I was the one who kept the key to the kingdom because I fielded all communication equipment," Lemley said. "They found out early on that they couldn't yell at me and order me around. But as a woman, I learned all you have to do is stand your ground and be logical. Women do have value and can make sound decisions."

Lemley said she wants Americans to know that job satisfaction and challenging work are key components of success. "Job satisfaction is the most critical thing," she said. "Respect yourself, and others will respect you."

Lemley also said she wants people to understand the importance of volunteerism and of supporting the troops.

"I want Americans to know that the servicemembers are trying to do as we've been directed, and we really need their support," Lemley said. "Whether they agree with the war or not, we are Americans trying to protect their safety and security in the United States, and we would greatly appreciate their support."