Military Operations Change Afghan Perception In Southern Helmand
(March 19, 2011) |
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| HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (MCN - 3/15/2011) — “Marines
do not bleed. They do not eat, they do not sleep. They are
not human.” |
Afghan citizens voiced these words in December after
watching Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 3,
2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) conduct a route
repair operation for three consecutive days near
Durzay, a rural community in Afghanistan's Helmand
province. Until recently, certain communities
throughout southwestern Afghanistan have not
witnessed coalition operations.
This
perception of Marines as heartless, impersonal
figures stems from their meticulous work ethic and
discipline, said Sgt. Kyle Ekblom, combat engineer,
Engineer Company, CLB-3, 2nd MLG (Fwd). Though
Marines pride themselves on their warrior persona,
the perception of the Marine Corps as an inhuman,
militaristic force will hinder their ability to
succeed in Afghanistan. |
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1st Lt. Elizabeth Stroud, engineer platoon commander, Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), speaks with Afghan citizens in Haji Hanif Khan, Afghanistan, March 7,
2011. Many Afghan communities in southern Helmand province have experienced positive changes due to coalition efforts since beginning operations nearly 10 years ago.
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While conducting military operations in Afghanistan,
coalition forces instruct their personnel to maintain a
personable and professional relationship with the Afghan
community. Since beginning operations in Afghanistan nearly
10 years ago, coalition personnel established themselves as
a security force determined to eradicate the Taliban and
rebuild the nation's infrastructure.
“We're trying
to break that perception,” said Ekblom, a native of Brandon,
Fla. “Communication limitations in this country make [the
Afghan citizens'] knowledge based solely upon what they see.
We're not trying to impose our culture or beliefs upon the
Afghan people. We're just trying to provide them with a
country, which isn't governed, oppressed or threatened by
the Taliban. We're here to help these people live their
lives in the manner they see fit. By developing a rapport
with the Afghan community, we can earn their trust and
accomplish our mission.”
According to Khliq Daad, a
57-year-old resident of Haji Hanif Khan, Afghanistan,
Marines must continue to develop strong relationships with
Afghan citizens if they want to distance themselves from the
perception as an invading force, such as the former Soviet
Union. Though younger generations of Afghans may not recall
the Soviet occupation, they could easily view any foreign
military in the same negative manner. However, in the time
since coalition forces began their operations, Afghanistan
and its citizens have experienced many positive changes. |
“Once the Marines showed up, Taliban activity in my
village ceased,” said Daad, through an interpreter.
“The Taliban here were preventing construction and
rehabilitation of this area. When the Marines first
showed up, they were only fighting to bring us
peace. But now I see them conducting many projects
and my village is much more secure. I want this
knowledge to spread throughout Afghanistan – the
knowledge of the good things Marines are doing for
this country. Without this knowledge, those who are
not educated will continue to make bad choices.”
Daad believes coalition forces will continue to
find success in his country if they continue to
influence those who may perceive them as inhuman – a
perception as damaging as it is insulting. Stripping
Marines of their humanity denies the sacrifices
they've made. |
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Lance Cpl. John B. Thomas, 20, motor transport operator, Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), shakes hands with an Afghan child in Haji Hanif Khan, Afghanistan
on March 9, 2011.
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“Marines do bleed,” Daad continued. “They have bled for us,
for this country and for each other." |
Article and photos by USMC Cpl. Daniel Woodall
Combat Logistics Battalion-3
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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