Oklahoma ADT conducts first mission to eastern Paktya

By Sgt. John P Sklaney III
Oklahoma National Guard

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, left, project manager for the Oklahoma National Guard's 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team, and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Lorn McKinzie, the senior non-commissioned officer for the ADT conduct a site survey of a watershed project in the Paktya Province in Afghanistan, Oct. 30, 2010. They conducted a survey of the terrain at the proposed location to verify the feasibility of the project, which is intended to reduce water runoff in the spring. (Courtesy photo by Combined Joint Task Force 101)
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PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (10/30/10) -- The Oklahoma National Guard's 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team conducted its first mission to the eastern part of the province to meet with a sub-governor and also to look over a future watershed project.

The mission started early in the morning with preparations by the security force to get the vehicles and equipment ready for the longest trip that the ADT had taken during their time in Afghanistan.

To signify the importance of the mission, Capt. Kale Rogers, the security force commander of the ADT, led the mission as the convoy commander.

Rogers said that because the mission was the longest and into unknown terrain for the ADT, it placed great importance on teamwork for all of the Soldiers. The terrain in the eastern part of the province is different from the terrain around Gardez, Afghanistan, which is generally a flat plateau with an elevation of around 8,000 feet. The eastern part of the province has mountain peaks that tower well over 14,000 feet.

The terrain was a far contrast from what the ADT was accustom to operating in and around Gardez, Afghanistan. Trees dotted the landscape once the ADT moved into the mountain terrain, in what would be considered forests for Afghanistan, since less than 5% of Afghanistan’s land area is covered with trees.

“The terrain is comparable to the mountains of northern New Mexico where the agricultural section of the ADT, trained during the past summer,” said Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, the project manager for the ADT. The agricultural team trained in New Mexico for weeks to gain a better knowledge of high mountain farming in the U.S.

The meeting with the sub-governor took place at an Afghan National Army station, located next to the district center. The location was convenient for both sides since the ADT would continue after the meeting, to the proposed watershed project.

Col. Robert Roshell, the commander of the ADT, stated that building personal relationships with Afghan leaders is one way that the U.S. military will be able to strengthen the bond between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Afghan people. Without personal interaction between the U.S. and Afghans, the GIRoA will face hardship in their building of a better Afghanistan for all of its citizens.

“The discussion was about the needs of the district and what the U.S. could provide in the way of help,” said Col. Roshell.

Sgt. Maj. Lorn McKinzie, the senior non-commissioned officer for the ADT and Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne conducted a site assessment of a watershed project that the ADT is working to complete in the coming year.

“The watershed project will help with reducing water erosion and also aid in allowing the local Afghan farmers to capture some of the runoff for use in farming or personal needs,“ said Sgt. Major Lorn McKinzie.

The last stop, before heading back to base, was at a local Gardez demonstration farm so that Sgt. Maj. McKinzie and Sgt. 1st Class Payne could look over project completions since the last visit.

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