Panjshir hosts AEW commander

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan– Air Force guests from Bagram Air Field visited with the members of Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, April 25.

During his visit, U.S. Air Force Col. Jack Briggs II, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander said Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team members represent the best of America.

Briggs, U.S. Air Force Col. James Meersman, 755th Air Expeditionary Group commander, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Cui, 455 AEW command chief, and other Air Force guest were among the visiting group.

After arriving by chopper, the group was taken to Forward Operating Base Lion where they received a mission briefing from U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Curtis Velasquez, Panjshir PRT commander and Abilene, Kan., native, and James DeHart, U.S. Department of State and Panjshir PRT director. The group discussed many aspects of the PRT, including the pending appointment of a new governor for the province.

“You never want to put your guard down,” said Briggs. “It’s a new environment all of the time. Feed your leadership with information. Be observant. For this first part of the leadership change, you need to be on your toes.”

Following the briefing, the group had a traditional Afghan lunch near the Panjshir River. A local restaurant served the meal that included kabobs, rice, vegetables and nan, or Afghan bread. To wash the meal down, they were served Panjshir water which is locally produced and bottled.

The group then visited the tomb of Ahmad Shah Massoud, “Hero of the Afghan Nation,” who was killed in 2001. They said a prayer at the tomb and then toured the construction site of the Massoud Tomb Complex, which when completed will include a Mosque, museum and library.

After returning to the FOB, Briggs briefed all of the military PRT members. He said how proud he and the rest of America are of the men and women of the PRT.

“Be proud because we’re doing something bigger than ourselves,” said Briggs. “It’s something sacrificial, and it’s important.”

While the PRT mission is important, it’s equally important to take care of each other, said Briggs.

“Protect each other. Defend each other. Look each other in the eye when it’s not a good day and say, ‘What’s going on,’” said Briggs.

Velasquez said he’s glad the 455 AEW commander visited the PRT because it gave him a chance to show off the great work his people are doing to support the province.

“Panjshir is the model province for Afghanistan,” said Velasquez. “I’m proud of the work the PRT is doing, and it’s always a pleasure for me to get a chance to show senior leadership.”

Briggs too showed his appreciation for the PRT by presenting three commander’s coins before departing on a helicopter back to BAF.