Forming a team: Training prepares service members for Afghan deployment

  • Published
  • By Capt. Darrick Lee
  • Provincial Reconstruction Team Parwan Public Affairs
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. -- --  Military servicemembers assembled here earlier this month, to form a unit dedicated to conduct reconstruction operations in Afghanistan.

Classes of provincial reconstruction teams comprised of Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors from active-duty and reserve military components, began training under the 189th Infantry Brigade to learn how to assist Afghans in building local infrastructure. Once their training is complete, they will deploy as part of President Barack Obama's continued focus in the region.

In recent years, PRTs have been used effectively in both Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting U.S. effort to create stability. The PRTs attempt to do this by connecting the locals to their government through construction and agricultural projects. A PRT usually consists of a civil affairs team, civil engineers, electronic communications specialists, nurse practitioners and experienced infantrymen. It also consists of supporting elements, including personnelists, logisticians, an interpreter and security forces.

One particular teams name is PRT Parwan (after the province team members will serve in.) Although primarily made up of uniformed members, their mission is more humanitarian than combative. The joint unit will learn about a wide variety of subjects, including Afghan culture, construction in Afghanistan, interacting with local communities, and working with international agencies.

As with all newly-formed groups, the members of PRT Parwan are being challenged to create a functioning unit from its multiple professions and personalities. Aside from learning about what each person's job is, they are challenged with learning each service's culture, which can vary greatly in some areas. For example, Airmen often think of air power as the primary tool used to carry out the nation's objectives, while the Army focuses on ground maneuvers.

Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Heiser, originally from Reading, Penn., is aware of the challenges the team faces. As the incoming commander for PRT Parwan, Heiser is responsible for ensuring the team is ready to perform in Afghanistan. He will serve as the face of U.S. military reconstruction in the provinces of Parwan and Kapisa. As such, he wants to use the team's diversity to its advantage.

"We want to take the personalities from each service, both active and reserve, be respectful of and appreciate those identities while melding their components together to function as a team," said Heiser. "We're highly motivated, and by the time our training is finished, we'll be ready to help the people of Afghanistan."

The team has come to be known as the "High Plains Drifters," due to their area of responsibility mirroring that namesake classic western. The nickname hints to their mission of traveling long distances over rugged, unforgiving terrain to multiple rural communities within the province.

So far, the team has received training in Afghani languages, and they've also participated in discussions with non-governmental agencies that work in Afghanistan, like the US Agency for International Development. To ensure the team understands the significance of their work, the deputy chief of mission from the Embassy of Afghanistan spoke with the group and thanked them for their service.

Although the focus of the 189th IB's training program is not combat, they can't ignore the possibility for violence as the team executes its mission. To ensure the team is able to react to hostilities, the training includes exposure to weapons and how to fire them, as well as convoy procedures and tactical operations. For some servicemembers who have never deployed before, this type of training is welcomed.

"The training so far has been, informative; especially for Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen that haven't deployed yet, like me," said Army Lt. Kelvin Thomas, originally from Gainesville, Fla. "I look forward to some more interactive training." Thomas serves as the team's logistician and will ensure the team receives the equipment and supplies they need to sustain themselves as they travel to and from villages within the mountainous region.

Others, like Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Cobb, are experienced at serving in hostile areas overseas but still appreciate the training.

Cobb, a civil engineer NCO for the team, is originally from Edison, Ga. Cobb has deployed to Iraq as a civil engineer structural technician, and will work with Afghanistan engineers to provide quality assurance of the team's construction projects.

As the US moves forward with its plans to withdraw some troops from Iraq, increased focus is placed on Afghanistan. The eyes of the world will be on teams like PRT Parwan. If the 189th IB's training is any indication, the U.S. is ready for the attention. 

(Editor's note -- Tech. Sgt. William Cobb is deployed from the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.)