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Afghan Air Force Brings Aid to Badakhshan

  • Published
  • By MC2 Vladimir V. Potapenko
  • 438th AEW PA
BADAKHSHAN, Afghanistan --  The Afghan Air Force accompanied by NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan/438th Air Expeditionary Wing and ISAF Joint Command delivered aid to villagers Oct. 26 as part of humanitarian assistance to Baharak in the Badakhshan province.

Geared towards the village's children, the delivery is part of a continued effort by coalition forces to demonstrate eagerness in fostering a positive relationship with the people of Afghanistan, said Major Sanjoy C. Malhotra, the Communications Advisor for the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group.

"One of our missions with counterinsurgency is winning hearts and minds. Handing out supplies hopefully helps people get the message that we are here to do that," said Lieutenant Colonel Bernard M. Willi, the Deputy Commander for the 438th AEAG.

"The people need to see the Afghan Air Force taking care of them," said Maj. Malhotra, noting the particular importance for Afghans to see their countrymen providing support. "The military doesn't just fight--it protects and helps civilians."

Altogether, over 2,000 kilograms of provisions consisting of toys, furniture, clothes and school supplies were presented during a gift giving ceremony set up between the coalition forces and the children of the village. Servicemembers presented the children with the aid, while the children reciprocated with bouquets of flowers.

After spending a lot of time in Afghanistan, days and missions like the humanitarian assistance are what makes me happy just to be here, said Master Sergeant Scott Andrews, a Flight Engineer for the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron. "Our mission is to help Afghanistan. The kids are innocent. They're worried at first, then they realize we're friends. Everyone here has a vested interest."

Accompanying the coalition forces on the operation was Patrick Firouzian, the Vice President of Global Roots. Representing Global Roots, a charitable organization focused on improving the lives of orphaned and disadvantaged children around the world, Mr. Firouzian made the trip to Barakhshan for a preliminary sight and survey on an orphanage he hopes to develop in the region, giving the locals even more cause for excitement.

It was a great pleasure having the coalition forces and Firouzian come out to Badakhshan, said the Security Manager of the Afghan National Police station during a lunch served in their honor. It is a relationship he hopes will continue and prosper in the coming months, he said.