Nangarhar PRT takes reconstruction to new level

Army Capt. Timothy O’Donnell, civil affairs, and Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Donovan, commander, discuss the placement of development projects in the Hisarek District, in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3. Both are part of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT is made up of Airmen and Soldiers from around the world and is charged with assisting the provincial government in improving security, governance and reconstruction. (Courtesy photo)

Nangarhar PRT takes reconstruction to new level

Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Allison, 436th Medical Operation Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, provides medical aid to an Afghan child during a foot patrol Nov. 8 in Nangarhar Province. He is part of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT is made up of Airmen and Soldiers from around the world and is charged with assisting the provincial government in improving security, governance and reconstruction. His hometown is Detroit, Michigan. (Courtesy photo/Released)

Nangarhar PRT takes reconstruction to new level

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chandra Van Staalduinen, 366th Communications Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, passes out candy to children in the Hope of Mother School, a private school in Nangarhar Province Nov. 8. She is part of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT is made up of Airmen and Soldiers from around the world and is charged with assisting the provincial government in improving security, governance and reconstruction. Her hometown is Mayodan, North Carolina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Elaine Hunnicutt/Released)

Nangarhar PRT takes reconstruction to new level

Air Force Capt. Michael Siebert, civil engineer, inspects the roof of a veterinarian clinic in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, Nov. 3. He is part of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT is made up of Airmen and Soldiers from around the world and is charged with assisting the provincial government in improving security, governance and reconstruction. His hometown is Mather Air Force Base, Calif. and Tacoma, Washington. His parents are currently employed at Mildenhall Air Force Base, United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Elaine Hunnicutt/Released)

Nangarhar PRT takes reconstruction to new level

Army 1st Lt. Rhoda Young, civil affairs, passes out candy to children in the Hope of Mother School, a private school in Nangarhar Province Nov. 3. She is part of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team. The PRT is made up of Airmen and Soldiers from around the world and is charged with assisting the provincial government in improving security, governance and reconstruction. Her hometown is Battle Creek, Michigan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Elaine Hunnicutt/Released)

Nangarhar PRT takes reconstruction to new level

Published Nov. 9, 2008
By Capt. J. Elaine Hunnicutt
Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction team 3-1 PAO

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- The U.S. military nominated and oversaw the funding and construction of approximately $8 million worth of construction in Nangarhar Province in the last two years. Currently, almost $40 million worth of U.S. military funded construction is ongoing in the province as Fiscal Year 2008 came to a close.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of my team in Nangarhar, especially the PRT," Col. John Spiszer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, commander, said. "They have accomplished a level of development and support to governance not seen anywhere else in Afghanistan. Their efforts in Nangarhar are leading the way and they are ready for the next stage in the areas of security, development and governance."

The Nangarhar PRT is currently building 20 schools, 12 major roads, five irrigation systems, two bridges, and five major structures. This includes the refortification of the existing canal system, built by the U.S.S.R. in the1980s, which feeds the entire province, to include outlying districts that would otherwise be barren and a multi-district well plan to provide water to the districts in needs.

"Roads and power are the future, without them this country can not move to the next level of self sustainment. These two things will carry the next generation to a prosperous tomorrow," Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Donovan, said.

The PRT was established in 2003 by the U.S. Army. Today it is made up of a team of active-duty Air Force and Army; Guard and Reserve Army; and civilians (Department of State, USAID and USDA) serving approximately one-year tours.

The province is 7,700 square kilometers, with 22 officially recognized districts. Additionally, the local tribes recognize a 23rd district, which also requires the team's attention.

"This job has been extremely challenging this past year, but has also allowed me to utilized skills that I learned in the civilian sector that I never would have been able to put into practice doing a traditional military civil engineering mission," Air Force Capt. Michael Siebert, Nangarhar PRT civil engineer, said. "I have been able to mentor and develop Afghan engineers. They now possess a skillset that will help them develop better communities across their country."

The civil affairs mission in Nangarhar is like no other and garnered the attention of the White House and international media. In 2007 Nangarhar was one of the worst provinces in regards to poppy production. In August 2008 the province was declared poppy free. This radical turn around is credited to an array of factors, but the aggressive development and reconstruction of the province can not be overlooked in addition to the strong governance of Governor Agha Gul Sherzai. Nangarhar's incredible performance in eradicating poppy resulted in fiscal incentives from Afghan and DoS programs.

"In my 14 years as civil affairs, both here and in Iraq, this has been the most ambitious reconstruction mission thus far," Army Maj. Robert Minton, civil affairs, said. "The level of development here is creating an epicenter for trade and commerce that will take this region beyond merely a level of sustainment."