Tuesday, May 19, 2009

U.S., Afghan Soldiers Add Security to Eastern Afghan Province

By Army Staff Sgt. David Hopkins
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 19, 2009 - A new vehicle patrol base and observation post in northeastern Afghanistan provides additional security to the road and villages of the area near the Pakistan border in Afghanistan's Kunar province. Afghan forces and soldiers from C Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, established the new security positions in late April with the help of local civilians.

"This will provide additional security to an area that has had several attacks," Army Capt. Jay Bessey, C Troop commander, said. "There have also been many illegal checkpoints along this stretch of road. We hope to reduce the number of these kinds of incidents in the area."

The vehicle patrol base is located on a flat plateau along the Kunar River that previously was used as a vehicle overwatch position to make sure convoys made it through the area safely.

"We will be able to provide a more permanent presence in the area," Bessey said, "which will allow us to react faster to any incidents and will allow us to focus on missions in the area."

The site will be used jointly by Afghan and U.S. troops. American soldiers and Afghan soldiers and police will work together closely to provide security, Bessey said.

While Afghan forces and NATO's International Security Assistance Force established a military presence and provided security, Afghan contractors were hired to perform most of the construction. Though the construction took only a few days, Bessey said, it will be a value to the local people and the military mission for as long as necessary.

(Army Staff Sgt. David Hopkins serves in the 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team public affairs office.)

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