Training prepares PRTs to help Afghan people

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen and Soldiers alike sat in a five-man Humvee waiting patiently for the target to pop up, provoking the gunner to act with nimble hands as he unleashed his weapon on the threatening target.

This mixed group of Air Force and Army has been working together for more than two months to receive the necessary skill sets and training to perform the duties of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan.

There are 24 PRTs currently operating in Afghanistan under NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Coalition forces run half and U.S. forces operate the other 12 teams, of which the Air Force has six and the Navy has six.

A PRT includes a military component and civilian representatives of U.S. (or other national) government foreign affairs agencies. In a U.S.-led PRT, this usually includes a representative from U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State, and the Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. government, civilians and the military commander form an executive committee of equals, which develops a strategy for the PRT, drawing on the expertise of all contributing agencies. The PRT's mission includes assisting the Afghan government with its security, governance and reconstruction efforts.

Currently, there are more than 175 Airmen at Fort Bragg training with their joint teams in preparation for deployment in late October. Each PRT team is comprised of approximately 80 members, including Air Force, Army, Army reservists and Army National Guardsmen, who make up the security detail for the team. One Navy PRT also contains several Airmen filling positions. The teams will deploy to provinces throughout Afghanistan.

Some Airmen find themselves deploying for the first time, but are excited for the chance to get their feet wet with the new additional duties that come with a joint mission like this one.

"I didn't expect it to be quite like this," Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Palmer, a member of the PRT deploying to the Nangarhar Province, said. "They said we would be going to an Army unit. I expected some stuff going blue to green, but this has been an experience.

"They brought together a hodge-podge of just about every different career field you can get," said the sergeant, who deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. "We got here and they say, 'Okay, you're a driver and you're a gunner.' But we are just blasting through it, and everyone seems to be impressed with how well our PRT is performing. I am happy with it."

Senior Master Sgt. Leroy Lefiti, a member of the PRT team heading to Laghman Province, knows this joint environment has its share of challenges but also strongly believes in the team's mission.

"We have some young troops who have never been in a joint environment, so there are some growing pains," he said. "It's really learning their terminology, learning their heartbeat and trying to get everyone in step.

"It's important to remember that the PRT is not the Army," said Sergeant Lefiti, who is deployed from Ramstein AB, Germany. "It is an integrated team, so when we are talking PRT, we are talking one unified group. I am just looking forward to helping another country restore themselves economically, getting them back on their feet. That is pretty much our mission right there."

Army Sgt. Brian Kiely, a civil affairs team sergeant with PRT Nangarhar, agreed.

"When we first started, there were definite cultural differences, but everyone has to come halfway with their beliefs in order to train and get along with each other," he said.

"Eventually you get a routine in and everything starts working like clockwork."

Another first-time deployer said she sought waivers in order to get deployed because she believes so much in making a difference in the lives of the Afghan people.

"The people over in Afghanistan don't have the resources we have," Airman 1st Class Rachel Gabbard, PRT Laghman, said. "We can bring those resources to them and show them we are trying to help. It's always a good thing to help people out no matter how they may feel about you. It is being the bigger person."

She also said she feels secure in the training she is receiving.

"If I ever have a question, no one hesitates to answer it," said Airman Gabbard, who is deployed from Lackland AFB. "If they don't know, they find out for me."

In addition to teaching in a joint environment, the training instructors attempt to make the environment as realistic as possible. During a recent simulated attack on PRT Nangarhar, the instructors simulated a mortar attack on the training Forward Operating Base, while conducting a small-arms assault on the convoy.

The instructors were impressed with the leadership and quick reaction of the team members, said Lt. Col. Steve Cabosky, PRT Nangarhar commander, said.

"If we are going to see it over there, we will practice it here," said the colonel, deployed from MacDill AFB, Fla. "Many of the instructors have just returned from a deployment in Afghanistan, and they are using those experiences to expose us to as many threats as possible to ensure we are fully prepared to deploy together."

Despite the risks the deployment poses, many are just looking forward to getting there to share the knowledge they have received with the people of Afghanistan.

"I don't think most of the general population knows about this type of mission; I know I didn't before I was assigned," Sergeant Palmer said. "We are not just blowing stuff up and killing people. We are over there training their people and trying to help them out.

"Like the old saying goes, we are trying to teach them to fish, not just give them a fish," the sergeant said. "If it's as bad as they say over there, then we're doing a good thing and I can't wait to help out."