| By U.S. Army Spc. Carina M. Garcia |
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2006 -- The U.S. Central Command’s top enlisted leader visited Afghanistan from Aug. 5 to 8 and praised the country for its progress in rebuilding and reconstructing, and developing its armed forces over the past five years.
Just a month away from the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill toured bases in Afghanistan and talked to deployed troops while here.
Brownhill is a principal advisor to Gen. John Abizaid, CENTCOM commander, on all matters concerning joint and combined integration, utilization and sustainment for more than 230,000 U.S. and Coalition forces serving in 27 countries.
“I’ve been coming in and out of Afghanistan for nearly the last five years,” said Brownhill. “I can remember, how we as a coalition, had to go in and oust the Taliban and get al-Qaeda on the run. If you just look at the general condition of Afghanistan, I see more and more openness on the streets. I also see prosperity and vendors, shops and merchants.”
Nearly five years ago, he said, Afghanistan was unstable with Taliban as the ruling form of government that gave free reign to al Qaeda. Though Coalition troops still find themselves in skirmishes with Taliban and other extremists, the majority of service members are involved in rebuilding reconstruction efforts.
“I am seeing more greenery and agriculture right now at this time of year that I have ever in the five years that I’ve come to the country,” Brownhill said. “That means that projects like wells, irrigation and infrastructure are effective.”
During his trip, Brownhill emphasized the importance of building up the Afghan National Army. The ANA works in tandem with U.S. and NATO forces to help plan and execute operations.
“For an army that is really only four years old, and fighting an enemy at the same time, those are indications that progress really is being made and that the contribution of many countries has helped Afghanistan get to this point,” Brownhill said. |
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| Chief Master Sgt. Curtis L. Brownhill, Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Central Command, speaks to members of the 209th Corps of the Afghan National Army on Aug. 6, 2006, during his visit to Afghanistan. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Spc. Carina M. Garcia |
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Brownhill spent two days of his travels with Sgt. Maj. Roshan Safi, the first sergeant major of the ANA. Brownhill said he saw firsthand how villagers accepted Roshan as a representative of the changes that have taken place the past five years.
“I watched carefully as the sergeant major of the army in his full uniform was walking down the street and there was a gathering wherever he went,” said Brownhill. “People of all ages wanted to talk to him and shake his hand. That’s an indication of respect by those people for the ANA.”
Brownhill said when you spend time with somebody like Sgt. Maj. Roshan who fought in the mountains, who fought for a piece of land, who fought the Taliban face-to-face right there and then, to see the progress through his eyes is an incredible experience. |
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