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NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan (11/9/2011) –
Sunlight crept silently through the windows lining the walls
of the Loy Kolay precinct, an Afghan National Army security
outpost, as the Marines and sailors awoke, each nudging the
soundly sleeping service member next to him. Their legs sore
from the previous day's hike more than 14 kilometers, their
shoulders strained from the weight of their body armor, the
service members of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment,
prepared for another day of patrolling across the district
with their Afghan counterparts.
Nov. 9, 2011 -
Grand Junction, Co., native Seaman Ian B. White, a corpsman with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, scans the edge of a canal. White participated in the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol across the district to promote the increase of Nawa's security.
Photo by USMC Cpl. Jeff Drew
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The patrol joined Afghan Lt. Col. Gul Ahmad, commanding officer of
1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, and U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Tyler
Zagurski, commanding officer of 1/9, recently in a four-day
expedition across the district called the Nawa Victory Walk. The
patrol demonstrated the safety and security achieved in the area and
allowed the leaders to speak with local residents and key leaders,
assessing problems and celebrating successes along the way. The
second day of the Nawa Victory Walk would be a proposed 12
kilometers.
The day began with a groundbreaking ceremony for
the Hayanak Health Clinic, outside the gates of the precinct.
Prominent members of the Nawa community arrived to cut the ribbon
and lay the ceremonial foundation bricks, including district
governor Haji Abdul Manaf and Haji Hayatullah, an Afghan Local
Police commander and local council member. The Marines and Afghan
soldiers joined together to provide security during the ceremony.
“The building of the health clinic is one of the many
reasons Nawa is ready for transition,” said Zagurski, a |
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Mercer Island, Wash., native. “The clinic is a good example of
success for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in
that the governor, elders, and GIRoA officials all agreed upon the
site and the director of health certified the site. It will be a
great success for the area to have its own basic health clinic.” |
The day's patrol began after the ceremony concluded and
officials ate an early lunch at the Loy Kolay precinct. The
ANA soldiers and Marines patrolled five kilometers to their
first stop at Patrol Base Wrightsman. The road along the way
held many conversations with local police patrolmen and area
residents.
“One of the successes of our patrol is to
see the local residents of Nawa accept Afghan National
Security Force leadership,” said Zagurski. “As Marines take
a step back in security responsibilities, we've seen a
strong bond between the local population and ANSF and GIRoA
leadership, which is one of the key indicators that they are
ready for transition.”
The patrolling party continued
along a deep canal, past corn fields and distant mud
compounds. Children ran to the advancing group in wonder,
greeting the combined forces.
“The people have been
waving all day at us,” mentioned Grand Junction, Colo.,
native Seaman Ian B. White, a corpsman with 1/9. “The way
people react differs from place to place, but we try to make
a good appearance no matter where we go.”
The troupe
made its second stop at Patrol Base Sopar Dostan, nine
kilometers into the day's patrol. Afghan Local Police
offered chai tea and were very welcoming to the visiting
soldiers and Marines. After a quick repose from the rigorous
patrolling, the Afghan and American security detachments
were on their feet read to finish the day with a final
three-kilometer movement.
It was a short patrol, yet
it took the troops from cornfields as far as the eye could
see and sparse mud compounds to a bustling marketplace. The
town of Khalaj, comprised of many closely knit, single-story
buildings, enveloped the patrolling group. Motorbikes and
bicycles raced between stands filled with fruit and
intricately-woven cloth for sale. Eyes turned toward the
ANSF–led patrol as it moved through the town, and many local
residents gathered to speak to the advancing party.
Patrol Base Jaker stood on the far side of the town; the
patrol made its way to the entrance and filed in through the
gates. ‘Doc White' was on them within moments, checking
their feet and making sure everyone was in good health to
continue the patrol through the Nawa district the next few
days.
A few hours of rest at Jaker gave the soldiers
and Marines time to relax, and the sun began to set over the
horizon.
In the evening, when little more than
moonlight lit the base's walkways, the district governor
hosted a dinner for several of the visiting Marines.
Chicken, rice and bread graced the plates of those in
attendance and Zagurski, accompanied by the kandak
commander, spoke with the governor on the day's successes
and the needs of Nawa.
“Education and the rule of law
are the most important thing for the community,” said Manaf,
his hands passionately gesturing in the air. “We have to be
able to serve justice by having good prosecutors and
legislators. Overall, the men and women of Nawa are happy.”
When the meal ended the Marines thanked their
gracious host and took their leave. Two days separated them
from the finish of their trek across Nawa, and they would
need their rest to accomplish the mission.
More photos available in frame below
By USMC Cpl. Jeff Drew
2nd Marine Division
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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