PRT Gardez

The 1st Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)in Afghanistan was located at that time (2/2003) termed Fire Base Gardez in Paktia Province. The "slice" included a PLTN from the 2/504th 82nd ABN including a mortar team, civil affairs team, 20th SFG ODA team/command element from 5th SFG, USAID and US State Department representative.

There was an adjacent compound with OGA personnel conducting various counter insurgency related/anti-Taliban operations in and around Gardez.

Operation Anaconda of 2-4 March 2002 launched from these compounds. Operation Anaconda was the last attempt to capture of kill HVT with Al Qaeda prior to their escape to Pakistan. Paktia Province borders on Pakistan and adjacent to the tribal areas of western Pakistan

These were the early days of the "hearts and minds" component to the overall strategic plan to stabilize Afghanistan.

With the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan due to the Iraq War..the emphasis through 2003 became less intensive..thereby resulting in today's challenges (my opinion).

At that time, Gardez PRT had territorial responsibility for the provinces of Paktia, Khwost & Ghazni.

Today, the PRT initiative is the "backbone" of US and coalition efforts to stabilize the country and administered by a host of various NATO military.

To all currently involved with the PRT initiative in Afghanistan..good luck-play safe and "salaam" to all.

Randy Hampton (other deployments include: Haiti, BiH, Croatia, Iraq, Sudan & Uganda

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• PRT Gardez
• Paktia Province
• Afghanistan
• Civil Affairs
• Provincial
• Reconstruction
• Team
• (PRT)

[Hellodolly321]

Such a pretty video of not such a pretty place. A friend just left 3 days ago as a part of the new PRT Gardez team. Is this where he is??

[jrhamp]

Yes..the video is of FOB Gardez, circa 2003. Many changes no doubt since that time.

[mudd6634]

I was there about two months ago. A lot bigger, but, pretty much all the same. 1/168 BN 34th ID

[pamir9900]

I was there for a little over a month.August to September of 2007. I worked at Fire Base Gardiz as a CAT II US linguist.We had the last room on the corner not far away from the door that leads to CHOWHALL. I had good time with Chief Allan and all his team members.

[tejano2828]

Hey Staley I was there with you with the CA team good times

[shiningkarma]

Flagged , of course.

[arapp3]

Was there in '02 and '03

Much different mission then

[staley69]

i was there in 2003 to 2004 when the 10th mountain took over for the 82nd airborn. I was assined to the PRT unit as there cook even though I was with the 10th mountain. I loved it there i stayed in the hootch where the porch was. I see the porch wasnt built at the time this video was made but i saw the boards leaning against my hootch getting ready to be made. It was good memories there it was a pleasure to serve with everyone there.

[liveandletlive1]

I was there from Jan 04 to Jul 04

[highstakes78]

you find yourself when you are sodimizing a 12 year old afghan boy.

Fob Lightning

[bobcatt666]

I was PRT Gardez for 07 to 08

[noblehayn]

alot diffrent changes since then i was there 07-08 but a reminder of those before us