PRT Zabul's Gridiron: Joint team at center of COIN ops

Published March 23, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary
AFCENT Combat Camera Correspondent

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SMART, Afghanistan -- (Editor's note: This is the first installment in a seven-part series of stories detailing the structure of provincial reconstruction teams.)

Located in the city center of Qalat, a joint team of service members and civilians are working together to ensure the area, once a tactical stronghold of the Taliban, transitions back into an environment where Afghans can handle their own security, have a steady job and provide for their family.

For Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, spearheading counter terrorism operations and thwarting terrorism here doesn't just involve executing tactical military operations. It also entails keeping the peace, mentoring Afghans to take over their own governance as well as fostering good relations between the Afghan government and the local population.

"We've become something of a poster child for what a forward operating base should look like in a counterinsurgency environment because we live directly with the people in a small compound, adjacent to government offices, education centers and health facilities in the center of Qalat city," said Lt. Col. Andy Veres, PRT Zabul Commander. "Afghans can come see us because we are far more accessible and conduct ourselves like a good neighbor, which in turn increases the sense of good will and goes a long way to help build relationships here."

In 2003, the military decided there warranted an effort separate from military operations to help secure the restoration of war-torn Afghanistan. The PRTs were tasked to team with provincial governments to mentor Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials, reconstruct infrastructure and aid in the transition to Afghan-led solution for the province.

"Partnered security operations create an opportunity for stability here," Colonel Veres said. "However, if there is no good government and development to back it up, it can't have a lasting impact. By enabling local leaders through all the civilian and military resources of the PRT, we facilitate Afghan solutions to Afghan problems; a stable platform that can be maintained long after we depart."

The team is a combined civilian-military organization, where the civilians represent the Department of State, the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In essence, the central component of PRT operations is to synch efforts to revitalize Afghanistan and create a strong government free of terrorist intimidation.

"If you cannot get the team to work together in order to maximize strengths and mitigate weaknesses, then how can you gets the best possible results implemented?" Colonel Veres said. "Afghanistan is very diverse and our team on the ground here realizes that you have to be able to address those differences and speak directly to them."

The PRT is successful because it enables Afghan government and development priorities contained in the Provincial Development Plan and approved by district and provincial councils. It is a small organization in terms of total numbers, but benefits from having personnel from 37 different Army, Air Force and civilian career specialties.

"What you need for an effective PRT are 100 people who are absolutely committed to the team concept," the colonel said. "They not only need to be confident in their job sets, but to also need to feel the full burden of being an Airman, Soldier or civilian on the very front line of implementing U.S. government policy in Afghanistan. It's about pulling together as a team to get the job done and I'm very proud to be in command of such a talented group who have fully embraced that concept."

The security forces element plays a very important role, as they ensure the freedom of movement of the organization while visiting the communities. The PRT compound itself is no longer secured by U.S. personnel; rather the operations have been turned over to Afghan security guards who reduce the need for U.S. personnel at the facility. At other locations, the PRT operates in smaller ten person detachments, where they are fully partnered with their Afghan National Security Forces counterparts for all phases of mission execution.

"It's a sign that Afghanistan has a very bright future," Colonel Veres said. "All of our detachments rely on their Afghan colleagues to ensure their safety and ability to function. The knowledge of the terrain and local environment the Afghans bring to the table is a great force multiplier to our mission."

The most visible benefit from the development projects is increasing human capacity and quality of life standards for the Afghan people. By involving and training them to build their own facilities, PRT Zabul personnel help set them up for success as the responsibilities are gradually and increasingly turned over to the host nation.

"PRTs need to be able to adjust their plans to meet the needs and capabilities of these disparate areas to make sure that everyone continues to move forward and no one is left out," he said. "In a lot of ways, our unit aims to be Swiss Army knife, so we can adjust quickly once we figure out which method works best in which setting."

It is steps such as these that have made it possible for the Afghans to start taking a growing leadership role. As the government and Afghan security forces increase their capabilities, it allows coalition forces to start to transition, as in the recent case of the 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps, which was rated as cable of independent operations and assumed responsibilities for its own battlespace--the first Afghan National Army unit to be awarded this distinction.

"Since I am on my second command tour in Zabul, it gives me a certain sense of perspective. It's really quite amazing how this province has matured over the past two years and how the people have begun to take control of their own affairs," Colonel Veres said. "Zabul's government and population are proving that they are ready for the next stage and will not require our assistance for very much longer. As a PRT, this is exactly what we want to see - Afghans standing on their own two feet and confidently moving toward a brighter future."