troopscoop’s posterous

Army Sgt. Adam Blann, stationed at COP Carwile, clears a culvert on a nearby road from IEDs.  Co D, 2nd Bn, 87th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div Soldiers work hard every day to secure and develop Afghanistan.  When they return to the COP, they will have the chance to relax, eat a hot meal and take a shower. 

"When we first got here we showered once a month," said Army Spc. Joshua Gabbard, HHC.  "Now, I definitely feel cleaner and more at home."  Aside from improved living conditions, Carwile also has 2 buildings that provide Morale Welfare and Recreation opportunities. The MWR provides Soldiers with a way to relax, contact home and even enroll in online college courses.  One building contains computers with internet and phones. The other houses a theater with television and seating.

Living conditions were not always good for troops from Company D, however. When Soldiers first arrived nearly a year ago, Carwile was only large enough to hold a platoon. Safety and amenities for residents were both scarce. "When we got here there were 2 tents, 2 B huts, and no real force protection," Gardner said.

The safety provisions for Soldiers who resided at Carwile have changed drastically during the past year.  "One of the first things we did when we got here was set up a better perimeter," Gardner said. The perimeter is surrounded by large, dirt-filled walls called "hescoes" and razor wire to keep insurgents out, while providing protection against enemy attacks.  Various guard towers along the perimeter with Soldiers and Afghan Security Guards provide constant overwatch of the COP and surrounding areas.

A more recent improvement in security is the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment camera.  With the RAID camera, an improvement made in early August, Soldiers can observe activity of surrounding areas more effectively than with the natural eye, which helps keep attacks on the COP down.  Other improvements include a Helicopter Landing Zone, a gun line and a larger fuel station just outside the COP.  

"We have had challenges, and daunting as they were, the men have adapted well," Blackmon said. "It’s a credit to the men and women who serve here."

While the Taliban has chosen to force support through intimidation, manipulation and unrestrained violence, CF have chosen to gain support by showing support by protecting, listening and interacting with locals through security patrols to the area's towns. That's exactly what the Marines and sailors of 3rd Plt did as they made their way by foot to visit with the local populace. 

The patrolling Marines arrived at Khwaja Jamal, a small town in the southern Now Zad region, where patrols are visiting the town's elders daily, to gain support for CF and info about local concerns and Taliban activity. "We're trying to get to the people, talk to them, find out what's most important to them, how we can separate them from the Taliban, and give a free country and free govt to Afghanistan," said Capt. Andrew  Terrell, the co. cmdr. for Co. L, 3/4.  "They're really the critical piece.  Without the people, we can't stabilize this country and give them a free govt."

The Marines handed out gifts, such as pens, pencils and other small trinkets, as they were welcomed by Khwaja Jamal's children upon entering the town's small marketplace.  Locals slowly began to make their way into the marketplace as well, and spoke with the Marines about local issues once security was established.

This constructive dialogue was made easier by the presence of ANA and ANP, who made the long and dusty walk with the Marines. "The ANA are important because this is their town. They know the area; they know what's happening out here, and they get info from the civilians," said Lance Cpl. Carlifrederick Organo.  "The ANA were helping the Marines out by talking to the elders and little kids. We got a lot of info on the patrol."

The ANSF provided security, passed out the small gifts to the local and helped ease any tension that may have existed with their presence. "I think the locals feel more comfortable with their own people being around," said Cpl. Alex Pirila, 22, a squad leader with Co. L.  "I know if someone came into my town, I'd feel better if they were being shown around by someone I knew or someone I knew spoke my language."

Although 3/4 has only been in country in support of ANSF for a short while, advancement in Khwaja Jamal can be seen on both the short and long term spectrums. "We've only been here a month, but it feels like the locals have definitely warmed up to us," said Pirila, 22. 

"When I was here 2 years ago with the British, we couldn't even walk to Khwaja Jamal without being mortared," said Terrell. "Now we can go down there; we can interact with the people, and we can go to their shops.  Everyone is willing to talk to us, and a lot of progress has been made."