Carving a road to peace

News: Carving a road to peace

22nd Naval Construction Regiment

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Story by Chief Petty Officer Jason Carter Subscribe To This Journalist

Chief Petty Officer Jason Carter

A grater from the 980th Engineering Battalion dumps carves out a new road through acres of grape orchards near Kandahar Airfield while local land owners look on and wait to assist with shovels. The road will serve a dual purpose, it will serve an access road for locals to the acres of orchards in the area, and it also will allow the coalition forces easier access to insurgent activity which is prevalent in the area.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The U.S. Army's 980th Engineering Battalion is carving a road through acres of grape orchards near Kandahar Airfield for the dual purpose of helping the local farmers get to their orchards easier, as well as helping coalition forces have faster access to insurgent activity that's prevalent in the area.

According to 1st Lt. B.C. Hardin, the officer in charge of the project, said the road was not only approved by the local farmers, but by the Kandahar governor's office as well.

"The 1.6 miles of road will give coalition forces quicker access to insurgents," Hardin said. He went on to explain that it will also give farmers easier access to their harvest and will remain years after the war is over for locals to utilize.

Hardin's crew is working diligently to get the road done as soon as possible and they are proud to be helping the locals as well as the overall mission in Afghanistan.

"Making a road for the villagers in the area and the military makes me proud. I love my job," said U.S. Army Spc. Scott Pearce

The 980th Engineering Battalion is part of Task Force Stethem which is lead by the Naval Construction Regiment 22.

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