Story by Pfc. Roy Mercon
Combined Joint Task Force - 82
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The scene was a spectacle for the children: Afghan commandos – the same ones in their comics and coloring books – came to their village, Lagmani Kuna in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, in Afghan helicopters in a precise and organized fashion, March 18.
For most of these kids, this was the first time they had ever seen a helicopter up close, but not the first time they had seen soldiers. They knew what the arrival of soldiers meant – they were getting some presents today.
The Afghan commandos not only came to show the kids who the good guys were, but to bring them hand-crank radios and notebooks. The commandos went to Mahigir and Lagmani Kuna villages as part of a two-part training mission.
"Task Force Falcon has been running an air assault academy amongst other aviation schools for the Afghan national army Air Corps and the Afghan commandos," said Canadian Maj. Glen T. Zilkalns, assigned to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. "What we've been doing up to now is teaching Afghan commandos how to plan, brief and execute their own air assaults using Afghan aircraft. This is the sixth air assault the Afghan commandos have done."
The commandos were focused on the training, as well as a bigger picture: showing the Afghan people that the Afghan commandos were the good guys.
"Today we came here to show the people that the Afghan national army is here," said ANA 1st Lt. Moreed, Afghan commando brigade commander. "We want to show that we can help the people, and we showed that today by giving radios and notebooks. We came in our own helicopters with Americans supporting us, instead of the other way around."
With the new hand-crank radios, the people of Mahigir and Lagmani Kuna villages will be able to hear about the developments going on in their country. The children were very receptive, with most posing for cameras and generally enjoying the company and comfort that comes with soldiers from their own country coming to help their village out.
Photos: Afghan Commandos Reach Out in Parwan Province