New patrol base prompts servicemembers to reach out to Afghan community

MIRABAD VALLEY, Afghanistan - One of the biggest challenges when entering a new area in Afghanistan is earning the trust and confidence of the local community.

With the presence of a new base, Patrol Base Mohammed, many people of the Mirabad Valley, Uruzgan province, are seeing their government for the first time.

"The Afghan government has never been out here - especially in these far, far reaches," said U.S. Army Capt. Patrick M. Blue, civil affairs team leader for the Uruzgan Provincial Reconstruction Team. "These people have never met their government, they have no idea what their government is."

Blue, a San Diego, Calif., native, said it takes small steps, but they are beginning to lay the groundwork for stability in the region.

The UPRT engages with members of the community every day. They reassure villagers, listen to their grievances and allow them to see a familiar face time and time again.

"We tend to hear the same grievances in every area, but these people are happy to see us," said Blue. "They know we bring security."

Soldiers at Patrol Base Mohammed hope to bring that security to the Mirabad Valley by forcing the Taliban out of populated areas before the spring fighting season starts up.

Even though the villagers have a sense the coalition is here to help, they are still scared because they are not used to their presence, but there is a variety of ways the UPRT is reassuring the community, Blue said.

"I think one of the most important things is making an impact on the children because they're really the future of Afghanistan," said U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Charles Barrere, another civil affairs team leader for UPRT and Norman, Okla., native. "Just playing with them, giving them candy - it really makes a difference."

One of the ways Blue said he can tell the community is starting to warm up to the presence of the new patrol base is through a recent interaction he had with one of the local leaders.

"Prior to the other day, he was petrified to talk to us," said Blue. "Anytime we would speak with him, he would ask us to search him, so his neighbors wouldn't think he was talking with people from the base."

This time when Blue and his team returned to the man's home, they were welcomed with open arms and invited right in.

"I think it's really quite telling of what he thought of the new patrol base," said Blue. "His words exactly were, 'I'm not scared anymore.'"

Blue said once security is established, the Afghan government can come in, start improving living conditions of the community and bring stability.