TX ADT-5 Utilizes Veterinary Medicine in COIN

Purpose

TX ADT-5 utilizes veterinary medicine to enter formerly non-permissive areas in Ghazni Province. 

Discussion

TX ADT-5 is utilizing veterinary medicine and the lines of communication between the veterinarians and Agriculture Extension Agents in Ghazni Province to reach out to formerly non-permissive districts and build positive relationships with their populations.

Outcome

This project will result in better animal health by helping ensure that animals are vaccinated, people are educated in basic animal health and hygiene, and training more artificial insemination specialists for increased reproduction rates.  This will have the secondary effects of improving community health, creating numerous full-time jobs in the field of artificial insemination, and increasing the population’s overall income with increased animal reproduction rates.

 CPT Ashleigh Fann, U.S. Army Veterinarian attached to TX ADT-5, conducts a key leader engagement for the head veterinarian and artificial insemination technician for Ghazni Province.

CPT Fann talks with the Jaghatu veterinarian to evaluate his experience and education level.  This was the first time in almost two years American troops visited Jaghatu District.

Afghan Juicing Project

Purpose

TX ADT-5 works together with USDA, USAID, and Afghan businesses to bring the middle of the value-chain for excess apples from Pakistan back to Afghanistan.

Discussion

TX ADT-5, in partnership, is working to bring  the middle of the apple value-chain back to Afghanistan, increasing the economy locally by creating jobs and lowering import/export and storage costs from outside the country.  We have done this through agriculture education, building cool storage facilities, and creating partnerships between local growers and Afghan business owners.

Outcome

This project was done by utilizing human capital and personal knowledge.  Though some funding was used from our partner organizations, the success of this story is that Afghans are now starting to reach out and create business relationships with each other, thus making them more self-sufficient while at the same time increasing their own economy. 

This is the start of a business relationship between Kabul businesses and Ghazni Province grower’s associations, mainly from Kwaja O’mari apple growers, and is expanding to include other fruits and districts in Ghazni Province.  This is keeping money within the Afghan economy as well as keeping any of the orchard production from going to waste. 

This project was accomplished by working with local grower’s associations, the Provincial Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL), Sultan Hussein, the agriculture extension agent from Kwaja O’mari, USDA, USAID, and Kabul businessmen.

TX ADT poses with USDA reps and Kabul businessmen.

Ghazni will provide an additional 10 metric tons of apples for juice to the Kabul juice factory.

Happy Holidays!

It's been a while since the last post...a little over a month, actually.  For that, I deeply apologize.  Since then, we've been through Thanksgiving, promotions, conferences, missions, and Christmas.  With the New Year looming large, I'm going to copy some of our Good News Stories as well as pictures from the past month.  I hope when you see them you can understand why it's been a while!

To say we've been busy is an understatement.  You see, Ghazni District (one of 19 districts within Ghazni Province) is transitioning this year to become totally reliant on the Afghan Government (GIRoA) for it's funding and operational support.  However, the rest of the province is not ready to do so.  The anomoly with Ghazni Province is that it, due to it's diverse population and geography, is seen as a miniature of the entire country...with all the complexities and issues that go along with it.  We have been working on preparing Ghazni City and District to become self-sufficient while trying to get the rest of the province caught up in order to become self-sufficient as well.  It's been a difficult task, to say the least! 

I hope you see your Soldier in the upcoming posts, and I wish everyone a Happy Holidays!

Promotion Announcement!

We are announcing the promotion for our Commanding Officer, COL Robert Gaudsmith!  The promotion to a full-bird colonel is an accomplishment that many officers will not realize in their careers, making this even more special.  This promotion signifies tha special faith and trust has been placed in our Commander, as the next promotion for COL Gaudsmith will be to Brigadier General.  Congratulations, sir!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Most celebrate Veteran's Day by spending time with their families and friends, maybe volunteering at a local VA or making sure to take the time to thank a servicemember.  The Soldiers of TX ADT-5 spent the day here on FOB Ghazni by participating in a Veteran's Day run and later a memorial service for all who have been lost to our cause here in Afghanistan.  See the pictures below for the Veteran's Day run!

Walking to the starting line.

Signing in.

SGT Fortune puts on his game face before the race.

LTC James trying to stay warm before the race starts.

Getting ready to start!

Ready to roll!

They're off!

Gettin' it done!

Ag Team members pose after cooling down.

TX ADT-5 proudly wears their RWB shirts, supporting Wounded Warriors on Veteran's Day.

TX ADT-5 Brings 4-H to Ghazni

One of the projects by the Agribusiness Expert Team, spearheaded by SGM Muckleroy, is to bring 4-H to Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.  He's worked incredibly hard preparing literature for and adjusting the program to fit Ghazni.  See the article below to get the details!

U.S. troops bring 4-H program to Ghazni

Ag Conference

On 2 November 2011, TX ADT-V hosted a conference for the Agriculture experts in Ghazni Province.  Attendees included vetrinarians, agriculture extension agents, specialists in conservation, livestock, and water, and was sponsored by the Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock for Ghazni Province, Sultan Hussein.  There were more attendees than we had hoped for, and was the first time that all of the experts from the different districts have been in the same room to meet, exchange ideas, and develop plans for their districts.  The event was a huge success thanks to everyone on our TX ADT team, from our Ag Expert Team, SecFor in providing security, and the Headquarters Section.  Great job, guys!

SSG Verdine makes homemade salsa for the luncheon.

SSG Zengerle lays out plates of Afghan dumplings for the luncheon.

LTC Gaudsmith greets the DAIL, Sultan Hussein.

Attendees enjoy their food.



SGM Muckleroy gives a presentation on pruning apple trees.



An Agriculture Extension Agent takes notes.

One of our terps, Mo, poses with SFC Martinez.

Group photo!

Promotion Announcement!

TX ADT-5 would like to congratulate LTC Devin James on his promotion!  LTC James is the officer in charge of the Agribusiness Expert Team (Ag Team) for TX ADT-5.  His knowledge in the industry of agriculture as well as experience from TX ADT-1 made him a sought-after asset for TX ADT-5.  He has been instrumental in the success of our ADT mission, and continues to lead the Ag Team with expert skill.  Thank you to LTC James for your dedication not only to TX ADT-5, but to the ADT mission. 

From all the Soldiers in TX ADT-5, a big congratulations to LTC James!

Promotion Announcement!

TX ADT-5 now has another field grade officer, MAJ Jim Fields.  Like an NCO's promotion to SFC, an officer's promotion to MAJ is an accomplishment signifying the Soldier's knowledge, capability and leadership skill.  MAJ Fields leads our operations section in Headquarters with precision and skill.  We thank him for his dedication to TX ADT-5 and wish him a big congratulations on his well-deserved promotion!