1st Battalion 26th Infantry Regt. in Afghanistan~U.S. troops, ISAF, ANA blend experience

U.S. troops, ISAF, Afghan national Army blend experience

By Staff Sgt. David Hopkins, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – At times of international conflict and war, cultures are brought together for a common cause, to restore peace. This is apparent everywhere in Afghanistan; International Security Assistance Forces are working with Afghan National Security Forces, blending experiences and completing the joint mission.

In the mountains of the Konar province of northeastern Afghanistan, Fort Hood’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers are working side-by-side with ISAF and members of the Afghan National Army to complete the mission of bringing stability and democracy to the country.

From guarding the outpost walls to combined patrols through remote villages and medical assistance, the joint effort is a success, according the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., commander.

“We have ANA working with our guys at many of our Continued from outposts and they really are working well together,” Lt. Col. Brett Jenkinson, 1-26 Inf. Regt., commander, said.

One such situation where this joint effort is working is at the gate at Camp Blessing. 1-26 Inf. Regt. Soldiers are combining efforts with ANA to keep the instillation safe from enemy threats.

There are language barriers, but through the assistance of interpreters the Soldiers are able to work together in many tasks, building bonds and sharing cultural experiences.

“I like working with them,” Pvt. Michael Ramirez, infantryman, Co. C, 1-26 Inf. Regt., said about working with ANA at the gate. “They are all hard workers, really hard workers.”

Together the Americans and ANA search vehicles and personnel who wish to enter the post. It’s important that they work well together in such a violent region. If they miss anything it could mean mission failure and the loss of lives. The key to this mission’s success is trust. There must be trust among the guards in order for them to work as a team, checking every possible option to keep danger away from the instillation.

“It took me a couple weeks to gain their trust,” Ramirez said. “Now I trust them 100 percent. I trust them like I trust my 3rd Platoon buddies and that makes it possible to work together as a team.”

The trust between the Soldiers grows everyday on the gates, but they are learning more than trust; they are learning to speak each other’s language.

“I’ve learned a lot of Pashto since I’ve been here,” Ramirez said. “A lot of the ANA speak pretty good English from working with Americans, too. When we have slow times we teach each other words. It builds the relationships and helps us work better together.”

There are cultural differences, such as how Americans and Afghans view interpersonal relationships, and religious differences. But the troops work through the obstacles and gain respect for each other’s cultures, enjoying the bonds they share.

“It is a good time for me and we have a good relationship,” Tajwali Shirzai, ANA gate guard, said with the help of an interpreter. “They are our guests here and we always welcome them. We have growing respect and this helps us to do our jobs better.”

The American and Afghan soldiers have developed a trust and connection that helps them fight for what they believe in and they will continue to do the job they are tasked with, guarding the base, while building international bonds.

“We’ll be out here searching people and guarding the gate together as long as it takes,” Ramirez said. “We enjoy each other’s company and work hard everyday.”