U.S. Army Soldiers from Provincial Reconstruction Team Nangarhar, a U.S. Army-led team from Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, conducted key leader engagements Jan. 12 and 13, with Afghan district sub-governors in Nangarhar Province.
The engagements, or KLEs, were conducted with the leaders of the province's Mohmand Dara, Lal Pur and Dur Baba districts.
"The purpose of our mission was to engage the district sub-governors in three districts," said U.S. Army Maj. Jeff D. Houston, the PRT's executive officer from the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion based in Southfield, Mich., and a native of Wadsworth, Ohio.
"The PRT is currently engaging every district sub-governor to advise them that we will be one of the last PRTs here in Nangarhar Province," Houston added. "We thank them for their support of us and advise them that because of their hard work and dedication, and increased capability, that the transition to [Afghan government] led initiatives is occurring."
Houston said they informed the districts that the U.S. military, NATO, International Security Forces of Afghanistan and the international community won't abandon them, but now the money they need is available through various Afghan government directorates and ministries.
"We also talked about reintegration," said Houston. "That's the GIRoA program to take those who want to renounce violence and help them become peaceful members of Afghan society."
"I think the missions were successful," said Houston. "They are glad to have us visit and we gauge how they feel the future will be, which in my experience thus far has been optimistic."
Houston said they owe the success of their mission to the Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, who provide security for the PRT missions.
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