B*N*S*N1

Infantry Battalion Forms Bonds With Local Afghans

By Army Capt. Jeffrey Masengale and Army 2nd Lt. Steven Hassink
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan , March 4, 2009 – Task Force Spartan soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, have been working closely with the local populace and security forces in Afghanistan’s Vardak province since their deployment to Regional Command East two months ago.

The “Catamount” battalion has had recent success with the Afghan security forces in the province’s Jalrez and Sayed Abad districts. This partnership signifies a commitment to helping the Afghan government become better connected with outlying provinces, officials said.

Team Comanche, whose area of operations extends into eastern Vardak, conducts daily patrols over rugged terrain and in challenging weather to meet with local Afghans, listen to their concerns and address their needs.

During a recent visit to the village of Kololan, one team learned that the majority of the villagers are farmers who sell their produce in the local market. But while the town is agriculturally strong, it doesn’t have a resident doctor, which forces villagers to travel long distances for medical care. Once the soldiers learned of the town’s plight, they arranged to bring basic medical care during their next patrol. The platoon came back with two medics who provided medical care to 12 men and a woman.

“Providing humanitarian assistance to Vardak citizens is one of the most important steps we can take in forming positive relations that will lead to a cohesive struggle against economic decline and ultimately the defeat of enemy forces in their area,” said Army 1st Lt. Christopher Stachura, an infantry officer with the Catamount battalion. ...

There is more on the fine work our troops are doing, which you won't find in the msm. Lucky for us, we can read more here.