Coalition Troops Build Rapport in Paktika Province - Afghanistan

Defend America ^ | September 17, 2004 | Army Capt. Juanita Chang / Combined Task Force Thunder

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Maj. Khan (left), Afghan National Army’s 2nd Kandak executive officer, Col. Gary H. Cheek (second from left), Combined Task Force Thunder commander, and Mayor Hajji Soorkai patrol the streets of Josufkhel with soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Juanita Chang
Coalition Troops Build Rapport in Paktika Province
By U.S. Army Capt. Juanita Chang / Combined Task Force Thunder
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Sept. 17, 2004 — The “Wolfhounds” of 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment have been conducting patrols in Paktika Province, eastern Afghanistan, since they arrived in here five months ago. Due to its size, limited infrastructure and rough terrain, patrolling Paktika Province is a daunting task. It’s a tough job, said Capt. John Sego, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. “I’ve been here five months and haven’t even seen a paved road yet.” But the Wolfhounds have willingly embraced this mission. To make their task a little less difficult, the Wolfhounds have developed strong relationships with their Afghan National Army counterparts and the provincial government - relationships that are promoting a secure and stable environment for the Oct. 9 presidential election and next spring’s parliamentary elections. One of the ways the soldiers have cultivated their relationship with the Afghan National Army is through joint patrols. During one patrol, Afghan National Army soldiers from 2nd Company, 2nd Kandak (battalion), 3rd Brigade, enthusiastically prepared for and conducted patrols alongside the Americans. Together, soldiers from both countries patrolled the roads and several villages in the province, stopping along the way to talk with village elders, members of the Afghan National Police, and a district mayor. Through this communication, the soldiers establish a presence and gather information to take back to the provincial governor. This information often leads to improvements within the	province. It also gives the Coalition the opportunity to support growth and reconstruction. During a patrol through the village of Josufkhel, Coalition soldiers met with Hajji Soorkai, village mayor, and Nazar Mohammad, local police chief, who addressed several concerns, including police vehicles and uniforms. Sego acknowledged their concerns, and then presented them with an Afghan flag and several windup radios. After the patrol, the soldiers joined Col. Gary H. Cheek, Combined Task Force Thunder commander, and Provincial Governor Mohammad Gullab Mangal, for dinner and a discussion about the day’s patrol. They also met with Afghan National Police Gen. Mohammad Rahime, provincial police chief; 2nd Kandak executive officer Afghan National Army Maj. Khan, who goes by only one name; and members of the Ministry of Interior. The lack of police uniforms was a concern expressed by Rahime during the dinner. Cheek addressed this concern, promising that the Coalition would do what it could to help. The equipment and uniforms provided by the Coalition enhance the abilities of the Afghan National Police to assume a more active role within the community. Their role is necessary to promote a secure environment for the election. “These elections are a blessing in more ways than one,” said Cheek. “First of all, the people of Afghanistan are able to participate in selecting their new leadership. But it also helps us focus on developing the police force.”

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

2nd Battalion Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment

 

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2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry
"Wolfhounds"

...The 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry was again activated on 31 August 1995, and this unit again carries proudly its thirty battle streamers and twelve unit citations on its colors. The motto "Nec Aspera Terrent" translates to "No Fear on Earth."

Both battalions of the 27th Infantry have entered the 50th year of the regiment’s relationship with the children and staff of the Holy Family Home Orphanage, Osaka, Japan. During Christmas 1949, Wolfhounds visited the orphanage to deliver gifts and hold a Christmas party for the children. Recognizing the needs of the children, and the then-limited capacity for self-help in postwar Japan, the regiment turned what was to have been a one-time occurrence into flow of supplies, food, building materials, medical assistance, and most importantly, love from American soldiers and their families to the orphans. Soldiers from 1st and 2nd Battalions return to Japan every Christmas, and two children from the orphanage have visited Schofield Barracks annually since 1957. The relationship was recognized by Hollywood in 1956 when members of the regiment were profiled in the movie, "Three Stripes In The Sun," starring Aldo Ray. - more
 

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'Wolfhounds' Receive Combat Badges - Afghanistan Ceremony First for Unit Since Vietnam

[blackie]

Big ~ "Wolfhounds" ~ Bump!

[SAMWolf]

Wolfhounds Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Senator Goldwater]

As long as we make the contacts we need in Waziristan, where those animals are holed up.