| JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, May 5, 2006 — Afghan doctors and medics, along with coalition members, moved into the Korengal Valley of eastern Afghanistan April 21 to provide medical assistance to more than 3,100 Afghans as part of Operation Lion’s Pride. The medical mission, located near the village of Arawara Bandeh, was a combined airdrop and medical assistance program. The program provided cost-free treatment to people of the Kunar Province .
Many Afghans in this mountainous and rural northeastern province have only sporadic access to health care. Medical doctors and specialists from Task Force Lava and coalition forces were provided the care.
| “These events allow us to make a solid connection with the local population in order to gain their support and keep this area from reverting back to a terrorist haven.” U.S. Marine Capt. Timothy Kelly
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Task force officials received a joint movement request from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines to airdrop 24 containerized delivery systems in the Korengal Valley, according to U.S. Army Maj. Matthew Schwind, Task Force Lava support operations officer.
“The drop was scheduled for one-day -- however, the weather became a factor and we adjusted this requirement over a two-day span,” he said. “We delivered 12 [containerized delivery systems] on the first day and 12 on the second day. Humanitarian assistance packages were also brought into the area by Afghan drivers. “The local residents were notified by Asadabad Provincial Reconstruction Team members of the airdrop and follow-on medical care being provided to the community,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Timothy Kelly, 1/3 Marines judge advocate, who is responsible for contracting and payments during the operation.
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