GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Sgt. Kimberly Nalepka, a Coral Springs, Fla., native, speaks to a teacher about the day’s lesson plan at a local school April 30. Nalepka is the team leader of the Female Engagement Team in Garmsir, where 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment operates. Nalepka and her team regularly visit medical clinics and schools on the area. The FET’s purpose is to interact with the female population in the local community and help identify the needs of the women in the area. The FET supports Regimental Combat Team 1, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which is heading the ground combat element in Helmand province. Photo by Cpl. Colby Brown

She has long brown hair, but it’s coiled into a tight bun. Her glare burns through tactical sunglasses but somehow doesn’t betray the femininity in her mahogany colored eyes. Her M-4 rifle is slung loosely over her shoulder, and an M-9 pistol hangs from her hip.

Sergeant Kimberly Nalepka and the rest of her Female Engagement Team squad play an integral role in counterinsurgency operations here.

Nalepka, a Coral Springs, Fla., native, is a squad leader with the FET in Garmsir, the district where 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, operates.

“I have a passion for what I am doing,” Nalepka said. “We’re here to help the people, and it’s exciting because being able to have a deeper impact on the Marine Corps’ mission is something I have always wanted to do. Interacting with the people is an amazing opportunity, and being able to see the smiles on their faces makes everything worthwhile, because a smile is universal no matter what language you speak.”

In some of the local communities, a woman can’t interact with men outside her family. This is where Nalepka and her squad come into the equation.

“We’re here to build up the local community and improve the people’s trust in the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” the 28-year-old sergeant said. “The Female Engagement Team is able to reach the part of the population that male Marines (can’t). In order to build a community, you have to build both the male and female side.”

Throughout Afghanistan, FET squads like this assist infantry battalions by supporting the counterinsurgency mission, but this is the first time 1/3 has worked with a FET.

The advantage of reaching out to Middle Eastern women was first realized in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, the first team was established with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, during their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Now, the FET is a necessary asset to every Marine battalion.

“It makes me (proud) as a female and a Marine to be able to work alongside an infantry battalion,” Nalepka said. “I think it is great women are being employed in this kind of role in Afghanistan, and [it] gives me a positive feeling about how far a female’s role has come in the U.S. military and the Marine Corps.”

Each FET member volunteered for the duty and received the same pre-deployment training as the 1/3 infantrymen. They received Pashtu language and cultural training so they can be confident when interacting with the Afghan people.

When Lance Cpl. Victoria Rogers patrolled to a local school with her team leader, Cpl. Julie Buskirk, April 26, children stopped in the middle of the street and whispered to each other, and the men glanced blankly at the team. The children’s curiosity soon took control and they swarmed the team, asking about their gear or for a piece of candy.

For some of the local residents, this was the first time interacting with a woman from the United States. For others, it was the first time seeing a woman of different ethnic descent.

Rogers, a native of Splendora, Texas, said these engagements motivate her.

“Getting to know the local residents and gaining their trust helps the battalion with their mission,” Rogers said, “because (we find more friends) to tell us when to be more watchful in an area if they know something bad might happen. It’s a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the Female Engagement Team.”

Although their primary mission is to engage females in Garmsir, the FET finds many other ways to help the local people. Currently in Garmsir, the squad regularly visits medical clinics and schools. These visits help the FET gain acceptance from the local community, which increases the likelihood of meeting more women.

The cultural difference is a challenge, said Rogers, but being able to help the Afghans is rewarding.

“The mission is going smoother in Afghanistan, and maybe employing females is the key,” the 22-year-old lance corporal said. “It’s obviously a combination of learning from our experience in Iraq and applying new ideas, but having the Female Engagement Team provides a different perspective of what can be done to help the local people of Afghanistan.”

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Story by Cpl. Colby Brown

One of the village elders seeks medical help from the corpsman during Operation Ozark Mountain, where Marines patrolled along the western Helmand River Valley looking for the village elders fort the key leaders engagements between Marines and the local Afghans in Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 14.

Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, inserted along the unchartered western portion of the Helmand River Valley to conduct patrols and key leader engagements as part of Operation Ozark Mountain, June 14.

Prevented from traveling by foot due to the river’s depth, the Marines used air support to cross west over the Helmand River

The Marines were unable to physically cross because the water in the Helmand River was too high.

“I decided to try and get helicopter support in order to get us over there and figure out what’s going on over there with the people, engage the atmosphere, and try to interdict any of the Taliban ‘rat lines’ going north to south,” said 1st Lt. Marcos Ruvalcava, a platoon commander with Lima Co., 3/1.

After the helicopters dropped the Marines across the river and departed, the Marines took off, heading down the river toward the villages. As the sun rose, the Marines headed into the first village, seeking out the village elders.

“I wish we could have had more time. We didn’t anticipate the key leader engagements taking that long, and we ran into more village elders than expected,” said Ruvalcava, 33, from Fillmore, Calif.

Village elders should know when and where the local shuras are so they can go and seek help, knowledge or if it is just to let the Marines know of any Taliban activity in their area, said Lance Cpl. Steven Morones, 19, a rifleman with Lima Co., 3/1, from Earlville, Ill.

“It’s definitely a good thing for the elders to know about the shuras, but due to the Helmand River in between us and them, it would probably be more of a hassle for them to get over here to the shura,” said Ruvalcava. “Taliban are still active in the south, not too far away from them, and they are still intimidated by them.”

Marines stopped a random motorcycle to find one of the Afghans failed a gunpowder residue test. The Marines detained the Afghan and made their way to the helicopter pickup point.

“We accomplished a bunch of key leader engagements from Lt. Ruvalcava, and to get out there and see the elders and let them know that we are here to help aid their country in bettering itself,” said Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Dreyer, 28, Weapons Platoon sergeant, Kilo Co., 3/1, from Dayton, Texas.

“I think the message was sent out there. We are able to get over to the western side of the Helmand River, and the river doesn’t divide us and them,” said Dreyer.

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Story by Cpl. Skyler Tooker

The ISAF Joint Command (IJC) is aware of protests that took place earlier today in Garmsir District. Protestors gathered over an allegation of desecration to the holy Koran.

“While denying these allegations, we take them very seriously and support a combined investigation with local Afghan authorities,” said Major Gen. Michael Regner, IJC deputy chief of staff for operations. “ISAF is an international force that includes Muslim soldiers, and we deplore such an action under any circumstances.”

This allegation comes in reference to an operation against the Taliban in Garmsir district. On Sunday, January 10 Afghan forces conducted the operation, supported by coalition forces. No shots were fired, no property was damaged and no one was detained. The joint force protected the dignity of all innocent civilians during the operation.

During today’s protest an insurgent sniper shot an Afghan official who was within FOB Delhi in Garmsir District. ISAF service members identified the insurgent sniper, shot and killed him. There were no other injuries or shots fired.

“As partners with the Afghan people, we will thoroughly investigate allegations to determine the facts,” Regner said. “IJC remains committed to our Afghan partners and we will continue our efforts in support of a free and prosperous Afghanistan.”

Local ISAF task force leadership in Garmsir have been invited to participate with the District Governor and Chief of Police in a shura tomorrow.

ISAF

An Afghan girl waits her turn during a veterinary civil affairs project, Oct. 9. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and 4th Civil Affairs Group provided free medical care for more than 700 cows, goats and sheep. Photo by Sgt. Scott Whittington

“It’s not just something nice to have,” said Capt. Micah P. Caskey IV, civil affairs officer. “This is the people’s livelihood.”

Marines from 4th Civil Affairs Group, attached to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, hosted the project for Afghan livestock, Oct. 9, in the Garmsir District center.

More than 60 farmers, and one local veterinarian, brought 717 animals – sheep, goats and cows – to the market to get complimentary veterinary treatment to treat and prevent worms and illnesses. Two military animal doctors from the U.S. Army and British Royal Army provided their assistance for the civil action project.

U.S. Army Capt. John M. Winston III, one of the two veterinarians, thought the clinic “was fantastic.” The 28-year-old from the 993rd Medical Detachment Veterinary Services is a Cairo, Ga., native. “We directly engaged with and helped the Afghan people,” he said.

This project is another prime example of cooperation between the Afghan government, Afghan national security forces and the International Security Assistance Force, according to Caskey.

The plans for the project began in July. Part of the coordination was a meeting between Caskey, local elders and other community members to ensure it didn’t impinge on the local veterinary supply store or veterinarians.

“The last thing we want to do is adversely affect the local economy,” said the Columbia, S.C., native. “We bought medicine from the store and gave it out.”

When the Marines arrived at the front of the market to set up the animal pens, some locals didn’t know what was happening, but as animals began lining up for treatment they got the idea and helped spread the word.

“The people are feeling happy,” said local fabric dealer Sheer Mohammad through an interpreter. Mohammad spread news of the one-day clinic to some of his friends who, in turn, brought their animals for treatment. “It’s a good thing you’re doing this.”

Mohammad added he was surprised to see a foreign military giving free medicine for livestock. He couldn’t recall any previous foreigners providing this type of service for the community.

U.S. Army Capt. John M. Winston III, 28, veterinarian with the 993rd Medical Detachment Veterinary Services and Cairo, Ga., native, injects a local farmer's cow to treat for parasites, Oct. 9. Winston participated with civil affairs Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in the veterinarian project that provided free medical care for livestock. Photo by Sgt. Scott Whittington

As the farmers arrived, they checked in and took their animals to a waiting area. Once the vets were ready, the interpreter called off names. They then herded their sheep, goats and cows into the treatment area. Some larger animals took a few Marines to wrangle. Although the project was concluded without major incident, only a few sore toes from dancing cows, the day had its share of unexpected challenges.

“The volume of animals in such a short time was a bit of pressure,” said British Royal army Capt. Miles H. Malone, veterinarian, Royal Army Veterinary Corps and a Suffolk, England, native. “Having another vet there was key to its success.”

“We saw and treated more animals than expected,” added Caskey. “But more importantly, we showed the people their government cares about them.”

Plans for another vet clinic are being considered. However, since Regional Command South only has one vet on staff, Caskey said he will definitely pass on the local vet’s contact information to incoming units so future coordination can include him on other animal-related projects.

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Story by Sgt. Scott Whittington

The citizens and local government in Garmsir District devised a plan to correct part of the Helmand River that was diverted during the high water levels last winter and has caused issues for Afghans down stream. Haji Abdullah Jan, Garmsir District governor, and approximately 100 Afghan citizens work on an ongoing project to correct the flow of water back to its original course, July 11.

The Helmand River is the one major source of water in this desert region, and when a portion of that supply is diverted, it causes problems for entire communities.

This scenario is exactly what transpired as the high water levels of last winter changed the course of the river at crucial points, capturing the attention of the Afghan government leadership in the area and that of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.

The Garmsir District governor, Haji Abdullah Jan, called a shura, July 6, with about 50 village elders to discuss the matter and come up with a common solution. U.S. Marines with Regimental Combat Team 3 and the ISAF stability advisor for Garmsir were in attendance at the meeting and coordinated with the officials to help in the best way possible.

The citizens and local government in Garmsir District devised a plan to correct part of the Helmand River that was diverted during the high water levels last winter and has caused issues for Afghans down stream. Haji Abdullah Jan, Garmsir District governor, and Capt. Micajah Caskey, civil affairs team leader with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and other Afghan citizens discuss the ongoing project, July 11.

“It is very important for everyone to pitch in and help because the people down river are having problems,” Jan said as he addressed the group of influential leaders.

As an agricultural district surrounded by a desert with temperatures reaching into the 120s during the summer months, water is crucial to the survival of the population and their livelihood in Garmsir.

“Aside from security, water is the number one concern in the region,” said Lt. Col. Leonard DeFrancisci, 4th Civil Affairs Group detachment commander with RCT-3.

Various solutions were discussed at the shura, but the Marines were strictly present at the meeting as observers, according to the CAG commander.

In a side conversation with the district governor, ISAF offered to pay for the renting of the equipment required, but the Afghan locals were committed to the physical construction of the project.

“The civil affairs Marines did just enough to get the project going, and the Afghans here took advantage,” DeFrancisci continued.

At the shura, a work plan was identified and the elders pitched in with village labor – about 100 locals joined the workforce. A local contractor who rents machinery was approached by the district governor, and he agreed to lease his equipment at basic rates, according to the Peter Chilvers, an ISAF stability advisor who works in conjunction with the British-lead Provincial Reconstruction Team in ‘s capital.

The PRT takes the lead on issues relating to governance and infrastructure development in Helmand province. It encompasses military and civilian advisors and experts in a variety of specialized fields who work closely with the provincial government to coordinate efforts with ISAF.

“Afghan leaders recognize that ISAF cannot fix all of their problems, and they are best suited to fix their own issues,” said Capt. Micajah Caskey, 2/8′s civil affairs team leader.

Construction for the project in Garmsir started July 8 with the work of numerous local Afghans and Governor Jan himself joining in the effort.

“The district governor played a very active role in helping the people – very visible in the community,” said DeFrancisci.

The work on the project is going well, according to Chilvers, and the district governor has been providing regular updates on the status of the project via Radio Garmsir.

“It all happened pretty quickly, and it is a great example of a joint community lead project being delivered by the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” the stability advisor said.

“The process of Afghans working with Afghans to solve problems will have positive and far-reaching effects on the peoples’ confidence in the legitimate government,” said Lt. Col. Christian Cabaniss, battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. “I’m just glad we were able to support the local government in effectively and immediately addressing a pressing issue that affects the entire community.”

The project should be completed before the end of July, according to Caskey. Equally as important as the project itself is the display of the local government’s ability to bring together numerous community leaders for the benefit of the Afghan people.

2/8 entered Garmsir District when it turned over battle space with British forces last June. It expanded further into the district during Operation Khanjar, July 2, when nearly 4,000 U.S. Marines and more than 600 Afghan soldiers entered areas of southern Helmand Province previously under the influence of the Taliban in an effort to provide security for the Afghan people.

The U.S. Marines and Helmand-based PRT are part of the larger international force in Afghanistan, ISAF, which is committed to the security, reconstruction and extension of governance in Afghanistan.

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Story by 1st Lt. Kurt Stahl