173rd Airborne Talks With Narang District Leaders
The spirit of cooperation and friendship between Iraqi leaders and Coalition forces got a large shot in the arm this late week when leaders for both groups got together.
Leaders of the 173rd Airborne Brigade sat down recently with District leaders from Narang and other officials from the Narang Valley, in the Province of Konar.
Destined Company, 173rd Airborne Brig recently received a change of leadership, so for the Army leaders this was the first chance they had gotten to get to know and talk with local leaders. This was a productive and fruitful meeting, with many of the community concerns being able to be shared in a direct, non-confrontational manner.
The Sub Governor of the province met with the Army leaders, and other officials and they all discussed goals and possible civil and reconstruction projects for their area. The need for continued security and the success recently of the Afghan National Police were also discussed.
During part of the time, the meeting was adjourned and leaders assisted Coalition and Afghan soldiers to pass out supplies and humanitarian aid to citizens in the province. This “hands on” opportunity to get out and among the people seemed to be very successful, and brought smiles on the faces of all who participated in handing out the supplies.
Discussions were held between members of the Civil Engineers attached to the 173rd, to discuss the feasibility of several well and water reclamation projects that could be constructed. In total, the meeting was productive and served to introduce all the players in the region to each other, and to begin to talk about meeting common goals.