Pacemaker engineers training the Afghan National Army
By 1st Lt. Claudia Crossland
February 14, 2006
SHARANA, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Feb. 14, 2006)- With nearly a full year of combat construction experience in Afghanistan, the Soldiers from the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) of Task Force Pacemaker are sharing their knowledge and skills with the engineers from the Afghan National Army.
In conjunction with the 492nd Civil Affairs Team, these U.S. Army Engineers have created a classroom environment where the ANA can learn critical construction skills.
“Training the soldiers of 4/1 Kandak is an investment in the Afghan National Army,” said Lt. Col. Paul Paolozzi, the commander of Task Force Pacemaker. “The skills they'll learn in this school will remain with them for life as they teach others what they've learned.”
The Pacemakers, from Fort Lewis, Wash., are currently constructing the road from Sharana to Gardez, while also expanding and making significant living enhancements to Forward Operating Base Sharana.
The ANA engineers plan to use their newly learned construction techniques to begin immediate improvements on their base at Khayr Kot Castle. “These ANA soldiers have never done construction before, so they didn’t have the building experience they needed,” explains Sgt. Ken Biretz, a carpenter with the 864th Engineers who has been instructing the ANA.
“This kind of work is very important for the Afghan Army,” explains Hamid Ulah, the ANA engineer platoon sergeant. “We will do this work in our compound and villages. We will teach everyone who wants to learn, especially other soldiers and our families at home.”
The construction training was broken down into four major blocks of instruction; beginning with basic carpentry tools and their uses; the various building materials available; how to construct walls, flooring and roofing systems; and masonry and concrete placement. Through the use of slideshow presentations and with the help of interpreters, the Pacemakers assisted the ANA engineers with the construction of burn latrines and concrete pads.
“The training has been a success, largely because the ANA soldiers are really eager to learn,” said Master Sgt. Eduardo Torres, a construction NCOIC for the 864th Engineers. “At first they were nervous about using the power tools, but now they have the confidence and ability to complete any carpentry task at their own forward operating bases.”
Training the ANA on construction skills is critical to Operation Enduring Freedom’s nation building mission. “These guys work really hard and are always excited to learn new carpentry skills,” said Sgt. Anthony Paulson, a carpenter with the 864th Engineers. “This training has taught them a way to help themselves so they can build their country with their own hands.”
The Pacemaker engineers have been impressed with the motivation and speed in which the ANA soldiers have picked up their new construction talents. “Even though they have never used an electric saw or even a tape measure, they learn quickly. I know they’ll be able to construct whatever they need, from furniture to living shelters,” said Paulson.
The ANA have paid particular attention in how to make precise cuts with power tools to efficiently use scarce materials, and have also been diligent in learning how to maintain the equipment.
“We are very thankful for these lessons,” said Hamid Ulah. It is very good for the future of the ANA and the people in our villages.”
(Editor’s note: 1st Lt. Claudia Crossland, 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), Task Force Pacemaker)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
