July 17, 2008
Civil Military Operations Center Opens in Gamsir
Cpl. Randall A. Clinton, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
At a forward outpost in Garmsir, a line of Afghans wait to talk with Marines at the newly opened Civil Military Operations Center; they have come to voice their claims and receive cash payments for losses incurred while Marines battled insurgents.
Flown over a sparsely decorated tent, three flags representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan flap in the wind, showing the people that this is not just a Marine Corps or American program. This is their government responding. The cash payments are in Afghan currency -- the people see the difference and welcome the Marine presence.
"You guys are different" the locals tell Master Gunnery Sgt. John Garth, civil affairs chief, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is operating with NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
"(The Afghans) know we come in with overwhelming force and might, but we also come in with compassion," he said....
Read the rest here.
No comments:
Post a Comment