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Team promotes reconstruction, development in counterinsurgency environment

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Amber Balken
  • Zabul PRT public affairs
QALAT, Afghanistan --  The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team took the first steps toward expanding provincial governance past the Qalat City limits. Three members of the PRT made up the first mobile district reconstruction team. The DRT is focused on reconstruction and development in the districts which lie beyond Highway 1, and are taking advantage of counterinsurgency windows of opportunity to bring isolated communities basic services. 

Led by Army Maj. Gregory Ulma, Zabul PRT civil military operations leader, the MDRT traveled to the Mizan district of Zabul. With the help of Charlie1-4 the MDRT was able to meet with the Mizan District Leader, speak to elders from the local villages, and obtain atmospheric information and asses the progress of voter registration. 

In the past the PRT focused on the Zabul provincial capital Qalat City and Highway One as the civil center of gravity. The operational purpose of the MDRT is to decentralize the efforts of the PRT and expand the influence of the legitimate government into outlying districts. 

Fifty percent of the population of Zabul lives along Highway 1 that leaves the other 50 percent of the main supply route, who weren't getting the supplies and resources they need. The government was reaching out to these outlying districts and the Taliban were stepping in. 

"People need security and services. If the legitimate government of Afghanistan cannot provide this due to criminal or insurgent activity, the common person will turn to whoever can," said Major Ulma. "The insurgents skillfully exploit this and create a vicious cycle of dependency. Our goal is to coach the legitimate government into the strongest, most responsive administrative and capable organization." 

Capitalizing on the coalition force fire bases scattered across the province the MDRT assists the commanders of these units, and provides them with civil-military expertise from the PRT. 

"The unit commanders are already performing the civil affairs mission, although they may not realize it," said Air Force Master Sgt. Tommy Phillips, Zabul PRT engineer. "The MDRT provides strategic resources and technical expertise to augment the efforts of the firebases. We are here to enhance and support what they are already doing." 

The MDRT will bring funding, resources, and logistics support to reconstruction and development projects. These projects will enable the forces at these fire bases to provide food, health needs, and security to the local villages. 

"The MDRT helps extend the reach of the provincial government," said Army Sgt. Jose Estrada Zabul PRT civil affairs. "It is our goal to strengthen the bond between the local people and the government, and the elected officials." 

"The MDRT and the coalition forces are helping to build processes and stability into the far regions," said Major Ulma. "[Also] to provide hope for a better life, so the people of Zabul will reject the violence and brutality of the Taliban." 

The MDRT team will continue to reach into outer lying districts of Zabul.