Local DJ celebrity to his Afghan listeners

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan–Soldiers from Task Force Iron Rakkasan  have helped turn  radio broadcasters in western Paktika Province, Afghanistan into celebrities amongst the local population.  

Under the Radio in a Box program, local DJs use radio broadcast equipment located on U.S. bases to broadcast Afghan programming. The program also gives out hand-cranked radios to locals.

The battalion has taken the success of the RIAB program to the next level, said U.S. Army 1st Lt. R.J. Peek, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, information officer, from Clarksville, Tenn.

In the Paktika’s Wazi Kwah District, DJ, Sarwan (one name only), joins the security forces on patrols. While Afghan Police search for information about insurgent activity, Sarwan interviews locals and passes out hand-cranked radios. 

“The villagers hope to hear themselves on the radio,” said U.S. Army Capt. Scott Harris, executive officer for Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, from Fayetteville, N.C.

With mountains and distance isolating Wazi Kwah, the radio station is the only news source available to the villagers, said Sarwan.

Recently, Sarwan joined a combined patrol of Afghan National Security Forces, and Company C Soldiers, to Mehman Kalay Village. 

As Sarwan interviewed villagers, a crowd of children and men of all ages grew and surrounded Sarwan.  The villagers, recognizing who he was, wanted the opportunity to meet the famous ‘voice on the radio’. 

Sarwan said he enjoyed the attention and took full advantage of the villagers’ willingness to speak with him. 

“Sarwan collected valuable Afghan perspectives from the villagers that all of Wazi Kwah will soon hear on the radio,” said Harris.

When the patrol was ready to leave the village, Sarwan passed out several hand-cranked radios to grateful villagers as a way of thanking people for their support. 

“My only regret is that we can’t carry enough radios for everyone,” said Capt. Khalil, Afghan Border Police Chief. “The people here love to listen to the radio and we are grateful for their support.”