PDA

View Full Version : Welsh Guards transform the 'badlands' of Afghanistan



bobdina
09-10-2009, 01:30 PM
Welsh Guards transform the 'badlands' of Afghanistan
A Military Operations news article

10 Sep 09

Following the success of Operation ZAFAR to establish a firm presence in the village of Basaran in Afghanistan and drive insurgents away, the Welsh Guards set about improving the local community and renovating the only school in the area.


In mid-June, with stabilisation plans backed by the locals in full swing, IX Company Welsh Guards was dealt a catastrophic blow when their commander, Major Sean Birchall, was killed in a blast on the edge of the village as he moved between checkpoints.

Major Birchall was the driving force behind the plans to support the area after his team quickly gained the confidence of local village elders to transform the area once known as the 'badlands' into a thriving community.

Having held shuras (consultations) immediately after the operation the Welsh Guards gleaned that the local community's biggest concern was the lack of schooling for their children.

The villagers explained that the headmaster had been executed by the Taliban in front of the children and after his death the school had fallen into disrepair. Teachers became reluctant to make themselves known for fear of falling victim to the same fate.

Major Birchall's team vowed to turn that around and, by establishing links with influential local leaders, they encouraged teachers to come forward and make themselves known.

For months, soldiers from 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment, attached to the Welsh Guards, worked to provide security for the school to be renovated by local workers.

Thousands of dollars of investment later, with improvements including new electrics, desks and paint, the school is now on the verge of re-opening later this month. So far more than 370 pupils have been registered by their parents to attend.

The new Officer Commanding of IX Company Welsh Guards, Major Alex Corbet Burcher, said:

"The locals were initially cautious about our presence in Basaran but the atmospherics here now are great and we've developed an excellent relationship with the local nationals and the Afghan National Security Forces.

"Six months ago we were clearing compounds of IEDs [improvised explosive devices) in a well-known insurgent stronghold. Now Basaran is a relatively benign and secure area with a school, wells and a hydroelectric turbine being planned.

"The locals appreciate what has been achieved and are very friendly towards us. They actively come to checkpoints to warn us about Taliban activity. If things continue like this, we’ll leave here with a real sense of achievement.

"I think Sean would be proud of the lads' achievements. It's what he would have expected us to have done. It makes us all feel better that some good has come from his sacrifice - something tangible for us and his family to see."

Now the revamped school and the repairs to the village infrastructure mean the people can move more freely and grow crops more easily.

The repaired wells mean that there is more running water for drinking and farming and plans are in place for a hydroelectric power turbine to be installed, making full use of the fast-flowing river running through the village.

One of Afghanistan's senior education advisors, Anna Lennartsdotter, said:

"With the school being so close it will reassure families about their children's security. Previously many of the children would have been taught in mosque madrasas [religious schools] where only basic literacy and numeracy is taught.

"Now, with access to a school with a curriculum recognised by the Afghan Government, the children will leave with useful qualifications."

Afghan National Security Forces now patrol the area, reassuring the locals and establishing good relationships with the community for the first time.