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Air Force Master Sergeant makes difference in Afghans' lives

  • Published
  • By U.S. Army Capt. Tamara Gonzales
  • NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
KABUL --  A NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan noncommissioned officer recently won the Air Force 2010 League of United Latin American Citizens "Excellence in Military Service Award" for service during his last deployment to Afghanistan.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Limweshe Wright, NTM-A's combined joint logistics office maintenance senior noncommissioned officer, earned the award for heroic combat actions and his impact on Afghans living in Panjshir province.

The award honors military service men and women who supported the department of defense overseas contingency operations or whose attributes best epitomized the qualities and the core values of their respective military service.

Wright has deployed more than ten times in his military career, most of them voluntarily. However, it was his previous deployment to Afghanistan, November 2008 to July 2009 that forever changed his life and his perspective of improving others' lives.

One day on a normal mission trip from Panjshir to Bagram, Wright's three-vehicle convoy hit an improved explosive device. Wright, serving as a M-240B machine-gun gunner in the third vehicle, saw the second vehicle suddenly explode into a blazing fire. As Wright stood guard at his gun, he heard ammunition rounds firing off from inside of the vehicle due to the intense heat. U.S. Army Master Sgt. Blue Row, Lt. Col. Mark Stratton II, the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ashton Goodman all lost their lives that day.

"The IED explosion and the loss of one of his Amn upset him greatly but during the actual situation he handled himself flawlessly," said Kelly Keebler, Wright's supervisor at the time. "He maintained his position and ensured no further attacks occurred allowing his team to take post attack actions."

While stationed at Panjshir, a remote location in the northeast corner of Afghanistan, the PRT of 30 Soldiers with civil affairs, and Afghan workers had the opportunity to forever change Afghans' lives.

They surveyed the land to assess future road and well projects. Wright directly helped secure a Panjshir road project worth $4.5 million. They also introduced a micro hydro electric system to create electricity.

"By establishing roads and electricity, it may bring in others and help the economy in that area," said Sergeant Wright.

Additionally, the PRT taught Afghans how to grow wheat instead of poppy and a women's group how to make their own money through chicken farming. They taught English in local schools, distributed school supplies and built schools incorporating boys and girls.

The biggest challenges included a language barrier and getting wheat to these remote locations due to the rugged terrain, distance and elevation.

"If there is a generation to make the most influence on it is the younger one, they see us bringing school supplies and farming wheat. The next time they see Americans the more willing they will be to help us and not the insurgents," said Sergeant Wright. "The people wanted to be treated with respect and that is what we did."

"Wright is a rare breed who epitomizes the new Air Force combat SNCO; he always wants to be in front leading the way in the toughest situations," said Keebler.