Building Bridges in Afghanistan
Building Bridges
in Afghanistan
A local Afghan citizen takes in the view from the newly constructed Gogamanda Bridge. The new bridge and road will provide a new link to Kabul for more than 6,000 Afghan families.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, USAF
A group of Afghan citizens assembles on the newly constructed Gogamanda Bridge Feb. 7. Photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, USAF
By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2007 - When local contractor Asil Khan first thought of building a bridge over the Gogamanda River, he was knee-deep in it, evading the Soviet army on a trip to Pakistan to procure weapons for the Mujahadeen.
More than 15 years later, that idea became a reality, as Gov. Jabar Taqwa officially opened the Gogomanda Bridge and the road that links Kabul with thousands of villagers who had been cut off from the capital by the river.
"Behind the mountains there are 6,000 villagers," Khan said. "They had no way to get to Kabul. Now they have the bridge."
Construction of the bridge took six months and more than 40 local Afghan workers. The road and bridge cost $225,000 apiece. Army Maj. Don Johnson, Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, said the price was a bargain.
"Normally a road like this costs $25,000 per kilometer," he said. "It should have cost us $400,000. It was a steal." Khan said he wanted to do his part for the people.
"I felt these people needed help, and this is the help we can do for them," he said.
The Bagram PRT provided funds for the project and some oversight.
"We would go and periodically check the work," Johnson said. "It's a strong bridge. We were here when it was just the foundations."
As Johnson's final mission before his redeployment, he took the opportunity to speak to some of the assembled local Afghans.
"In the 10 months I've been here, I've learned a lot about the Afghan people," he said. "They're generous, hospitable. They value education and they want the best for their people."
Johnson said a project like this would not be possible under the Taliban. He asked the Afghans, "How many bridges have the Taliban built?"
One Afghan stepped forward and answered him. "Don't ask that question," he said. "Ask how many they have destroyed."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher is assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force 76 Public Affairs Office.)
Note: PRT - Provisional Reconstruction Team
By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2007 - When local contractor Asil Khan first thought of building a bridge over the Gogamanda River, he was knee-deep in it, evading the Soviet army on a trip to Pakistan to procure weapons for the Mujahadeen.
More than 15 years later, that idea became a reality, as Gov. Jabar Taqwa officially opened the Gogomanda Bridge and the road that links Kabul with thousands of villagers who had been cut off from the capital by the river.
"Behind the mountains there are 6,000 villagers," Khan said. "They had no way to get to Kabul. Now they have the bridge."
Construction of the bridge took six months and more than 40 local Afghan workers. The road and bridge cost $225,000 apiece. Army Maj. Don Johnson, Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, said the price was a bargain.
"Normally a road like this costs $25,000 per kilometer," he said. "It should have cost us $400,000. It was a steal." Khan said he wanted to do his part for the people.
"I felt these people needed help, and this is the help we can do for them," he said.
The Bagram PRT provided funds for the project and some oversight.
"We would go and periodically check the work," Johnson said. "It's a strong bridge. We were here when it was just the foundations."
As Johnson's final mission before his redeployment, he took the opportunity to speak to some of the assembled local Afghans.
"In the 10 months I've been here, I've learned a lot about the Afghan people," he said. "They're generous, hospitable. They value education and they want the best for their people."
Johnson said a project like this would not be possible under the Taliban. He asked the Afghans, "How many bridges have the Taliban built?"
One Afghan stepped forward and answered him. "Don't ask that question," he said. "Ask how many they have destroyed."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher is assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force 76 Public Affairs Office.)
Note: PRT - Provisional Reconstruction Team
4 comments:
Posts like this one make me remember why "Flag Gazer" is on my short "A" list! Great information - still inspirational - me? - still behind! ;-)
what chrys said, this is another in a line of great post
It's too bad the MSM doesn't print more stories like this one!
AMEN to all the above.
By the way...you've been TAGGED...I told you I would remember you if this came up again...
Come play along!
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