Afghan Air Forces distributes goods to Afghan contractors

Published Jan. 5, 2011
By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Petty Officer Jared E. Walker
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Members of the Afghan Air Force, along with advisors from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, distributed goods to Afghan civilians working on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul Jan. 5 to help build a connection between the people and their military.

"More than 100 Afghan civilians were on hand to receive rations of sugar, rice, beans, cooking oil, clothing and school backpacks," said AAF Col. Abdul Basir, the AAF religious and cultural affairs officer. "All of these items help workers support their families."

Colonel Basir, who came up with the idea for a food drive, stressed the need for the contractors to be taken care of.

"Everybody that works here, the Afghan officers to the coalition advisors, are trying to take care of the personnel that work for them. We want to try to help them and their families. At least we can say that by doing this we have given them rice, beans and clothing. Maybe this is enough for them for two or three nights," said Colonel Basir.

Though it may only be enough for a few nights, the workers were happy to receive the aid.

"I really appreciate what I received today from the Afghan Air Force; the goods help us provide for our families," said Abdul Basir, a driver for the Afghan Air Force Firefighters, who makes 3,500 Afghani, or 80 U.S. dollars, a month.

Colonel Basir believes that assistance missions such as this will help bind the Afghan people to the military. He believes the Afghan people will remember well those who care for them and provide support for those who support them.