By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - The Air Force-led Bagram Provincial Reconstruction team officially started a new road system Sept. 28 in the Kapisa province that will connect all districts and the provincial capitol.
The contract is the first of its kind in Afghanistan and was awarded to Shams Construction Company of Kabul during a conference with the PRT Sept. 18.
"Today is a great day for the people of Kapisa, as well as the people of Afghanistan," said Canadian Brig. Gen. Daniel Pepin to a large audience of religious, political and military leaders. General Pepin is the deputy commanding general for all reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
"This road is significant," said Army Maj. Donald Johnson, director of Civil Military Operations for the Bagram PRT. "This will be the first time people will be able to travel to all the districts across the province, bringing commerce, security and stability to the region. Our goal is to aid in making them more self-sufficient and a future partner in the international arena." {Click on image for photo details}
The Kapisa province, which is located close to Bagram AB, is home to approximately 450,000 residents and is one of two provinces that work hand-in-hand with the Bagram PRT. The other province is the nearby Parwan province.
ReplyDeleteA mix of civilians, U.S. military and coalition forces, the PRT works to promote conditions for self-sufficiency, enduring prosperity and a secure, stable environment. The PRTs are an off-shoot of humanitarian operations units created by the Army in 2002. From wells to schools to hydro-electric projects, the teams are helping rebuild Afghanistan.
Project by project, the teams work throughout Afghanistan with the purpose of bringing stability and prosperity to the region. They do not do the work themselves, but rather with local contractors who then empower villagers in the area to do the work. The completed projects then truly belong to the village instead of just being given to them by coalition forces.
"This is your road, to be built by your people," General Pepin said. "Roads bring people and people bring business. Business improves life for everyone."
The road opening was just one of the two goodwill projects the Bagram PRT accomplished that day. Another was a large food donation, part of the "Meals for Mullahs" program the team has taken on. The goal is to give the food to local religious leaders for distribution to the surrounding villages. The food donation this day will feed several hundred people in the province.
"All villages in the province have Mullahs, or religious leaders," said Tech. Sgt. Derril McDonald, a structures journeyman from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., who volunteered to be a member of the PRT.
"People follow the Mullahs; it's the easiest way for us to get food to them," Sergeant McDonald said.