Day Workers and Good Neighbors

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Local Afghans who come to Bagram Airfield to find day work here were presented quality-of-life packages by BAF servicemembers May 30.

The quality-of-life packages were distributed to the workers who did not receive work that day.

“Many of these guys show up daily and can’t get work for a variety of reasons,” said 1st Lt. Joseph T. Scalzo, a civil affairs officer with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “By providing them items to help improve their quality of life, they are more likely to be supportive of the Coalition Forces mission to help Afghans.”
 

“The attack on May 19th was not only defeated quickly, but was done so with the full focus on ensuring no harm came to the Afghan people who live around the BAF perimeter.  Additionally, we are extremely grateful for the support from the local villagers who helped point out locations where insurgents were hiding,” said U.S. Army Col. William F. Roy, commander of Task Force Wolverine, which is responsible for the security of BAF. “TF Wolverine is very committed to being a good neighbor to the local villages. Since our arrival we have been meeting with the village elders in order to help improve the daily lives of our Afghan neighbors and working with the Afghan National Police to protect them from these insurgent attacks.”

The Afghan day workers are often employed to do construction or other trade work. Doing this work teaches them skills they can use in the future to secure employment, said Scalzo, an Oceanport, N.J., resident. “With learned skills to acquire jobs, Afghans are less likely to become involved with criminal or Taliban elements.”