To a newcomer, Afghanistan initially appears as a land of unforgiving mountains, harsh deserts and a fierce tribal society, but after serving there one also sees its staggering beauty, and the kindness of a long suffering people. In Parwan Province, the snowy Hindu Kush Mountains look down upon Charikar, an historic city where the markets are filled with grapes, almonds, apples and other produce from the surrounding Shomali Plain. This area is home to the Korea Provincial Reconstruction Team and their U.S. partners, the First Cavalry Division. The strong bond that ties our nations together on the Korean Peninsula also unites us in a noble cause in Northeast Afghanistan. The U.S. and Afghan forces conduct counterinsurgency operations in Parwan, which allows the Korean PRT to assist the Afghan people. Together, these operations have brought hope to Afghanistan, and honor to the Korea-U.S. coalition.
The First Cavalry Division arrived in Afghanistan in early 2011. In Parwan, Task Force Maverick and partnered Afghan units have fought the Taliban and other insurgent groups in the Ghorband Valley, around Bagram Airfield, and south near Kabul in Koh e Safi. These successful ground and air assault operations have increased security allowing Parwan Province to transition to Afghan security primacy in December 2011. Afghan security forces are now providing a very high level of security and rule of law to the Parwan population. The Korean PRT Security force has also played a vital role in security operations, using their mortars, helicopters, UAVs and highly trained soldiers to secure their base and provide safe air and ground movement to the PRT.
Taking advantage of security conditions, the Korean PRT demonstrated the compassion and generosity of the Korean people through many projects designed to increase governance and economic independence in Parwan. These projects include the building of many schools, which have brought untold opportunities to both genders. The PRT also operates vocational training centers which have provided job opportunities to locals. These education programs will surely have the most lasting effect on the Afghan future. The PRT has also provided quality health care at state of the art hospitals to thousands who would not have otherwise received care. These hospitals will continue to serve Afghans. The PRT has trained government leaders in Korea, donated office equipment for government offices, and provided advice and expertise to local governments. This has increased the ability of Afghans to provide essential services to their population.
The PRT has contributed to the Afghan economy and governments in many other ways. We’ve been surprised many times at the far-reaching contributions of the PRT. During our first meeting with Provincial Gov. Salangi, he was receiving brand new ambulances in Charikar. These modern and well equipped vehicles were provided by the PRT. Another example, we air assaulted into a remote area to fight the Taliban and found a clinic deep in the mountains. The only medical equipment inside had been donated by the Korean PRT, as evidenced by many KOICA stickers. The impact that the Korean PRT has had on Parwan may never be fully known, but it is clear that in a dangerous environment, the Korean-U.S coalition worked well together to provide a better future for Afghans.
By Jeremy T. Siegrist
Jeremy T. Siegrist is commander, CJTF-1 HQ BN, TF Maverick in Afghanistan. He once served at ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and will be assigned to the 8th U.S. Army HQ in Korea late April. ― Ed.
