U.S. Soldiers Assist in Turbine Movement

American Forces Press Service ^ | Staff Sgt. Adora Medina, USA

[SandRat]

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2008 – People in the smaller villages of southern Afghanistan have limited or no electricity. Though rows of power lines stretch for miles across the desolate sands of the region, only residents of major cities have electrical power.

Army 1st Sgt. Mark Kane helps direct a British and Canadian convoy transporting turbine materials into Afghanistan. He is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. The battalion’s soldiers cleared the way and secured the area during the Aug. 28 mission. U.S. Army photo  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

U.S. forces joined with Afghan forces and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force last month in an operation officials expect will lead to the eventual establishment of power for the smaller communities.

The combined forces transported a new turbine more than 100 miles across southern Afghanistan to the Kajaki dam in Helmand province.

On Aug. 28, soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, escorted the turbine as it passed through their area of operations. The light infantry unit cleared a path and secured about a 20-mile vicinity, enabling safe travel. The vast open area presented a challenge for the light infantrymen, who began operations in the district just months ago.

“We’re still not sure what villages are pro-ISAF or pro-Taliban, or where some of the areas along the route are worse than the others,” Army Capt. Trevor Voelkel, commander of the battalion’s Company C, said.

To familiarize themselves with the area, the soldiers in Voelkel’s company went out to perform reconnaissance just a couple of days prior to the operation. When they reached a certain portion of the district, Voelkel said, they were attacked by rockets twice within an hour. To alleviate unnecessary risks on the day of the operation, Kiowa and Apache helicopters circled the district, providing air support to the combined convoy.

Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division shadowed the convoy for about 10 hours, encountering only one incoming rocket round, which landed north of their perimeter. As the convoy departed from the district, soldiers transferred responsibility to Task Force Helmand, which led the convoy the rest of the way.

Despite Taliban attempts to deter the operation, the turbine safely arrived to the Kajaki Dam on Sept. 2. There, engineers would begin the construction process to provide electricity for the remote areas of Afghanistan.

(Army Staff Sgt. Adora Medina serves with Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

Related Sites:
Combined Joint Task Force 101
NATO International Security Assistance Force

Army Staff Sgt. Lester Medina scans a blocked-off road for enemy activity in the Maywand district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Aug 28, 2008. He is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. The unit provided security for a British and Canadian convoy transporting turbine materials to bring electricity to the region. U.S. Army photo   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

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[Wil H]

Here is the Brit perspective on the mission..

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4820197.ece

[Wil H]

Here is the Brit perspective on the mission..

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4820197.ece

[Karliner]

All of this for men, women, and children living in sucha long war, poverty, hostilities galore fighting off Taliban warriors that want everything 7th century save for their weaponry. Armed forces, such a tough thankless job, God bless every one of them.