USAID Mission Director visits PRT Nuristan and 2-77 Field Artillery ReGiment

By Air Force 2^nd Lt. Natassia Cherne, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs


NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – William Frej, the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission Director, and other USAID representatives met with the commanders of the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team and 2nd Battalion,77th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Steel , and Jamaluddin Badrm, the governor of Nuristan, Oct. 21, to discuss the relationship between USAID and its military counterparts.

Frej has worked 20 years for USAID and is the head of USAID Afghanistan team, that provides billion of dollars for development programs for Afghanistan

The Nuristan PRT is the first that Frej has visited on his tour of bases where PRTs are located in Afghanistan. His goals consisted of viewing field conditions, receiving an update on USAID projects and the working relationship between military members and his field officers.  

Frej said the visit was to, “Improve our ability through our PRT development advisors to support the military in a much more subtenant way in the next coming months.”

U.S Navy Cmdr. Russell McCormack, commander of the Nuristan PRT  and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Forsyth, the 2-77 Field Artillery Regiment commander, shared with Frej their joint vision for the progression of Nuristan and what each unit offers to its development.

“Today was important because it enabled the USAID representatives at the Afghan level to understand the problem and issues in Nuristan so that they can better assist the PRT and Task Force Steel in development, planning, and execution,” Forsyth explained.

Also, Jamaluddin Badr, governor of Nuristan, provided the history of Nuristan, challenges that Nuristan faces and to thank USAID for all of their support in rebuilding his country.

“Sons and daughters of this nation run away, but you stay, I appreciate that,” Badr said.

Frej was greatly appreciative and his response to the governor was, “You have our commitment to help development in Nuristan, that’s why we came here." 

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Agency of International Development mission director, William Frej, listens as Nuristan governor Jamaluddin Badr explains the conditions and possible solutions of the province during a briefing on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Oct. 21. The briefing was held in order to inform USAID, Regional Command East, and Provision Affairs personnel on the status of the field activities of the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction and their progress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)(RELEASED) 

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Forsyth, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment from Murray, Ky, briefs the U.S. Agency of International Development mission director William Frej on the conditions and security of the province during a briefing on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Oct. 21. The briefing was held in order to inform USAID, Regional Command East, and Provision Affairs personnel on the status of the field activities of the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team and 2-77’s progress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)(RELEASED) 

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Navy commander of the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Cmdr. Russell McCormack from Hampstead N.H., meets with the U.S. Agency of International Development mission director William Frej, and Nuristan Governor, Jamaluddin Badr, in order to brief them on the conditions and security of the province on Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Oct. 21. The briefing was held in order to inform USAID, Regional Command East, and Provision Affairs personnel on the status of the field activities of the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team and their progress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)(RELEASED)