Georgia Guardmembers Build Success With Sacrifice in Afghanistan
National Guard Bureau by Master Sgt. Mike Smith 10.30.2009 10:02
ARLINGTON, Va. – Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers from the 48th Infantry Brigade are building lifetime relationships in Afghanistan, the brigade commander told local reporters in a video interview from Kabul, Oct. 27.
"It's not only the training and mentoring, but building relationships," said Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence Dudney Jr., who leads about 2,500 Soldiers of the 48th Infantry Brigade, which deployed earlier this year.
Dudney told reporters that their purpose is to train and mentor the Afghanistan national security forces, which includes building relations with the national army, police and border police there.
"It's not only the training and mentoring, but building relationships," said Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence Dudney Jr., who leads about 2,500 Soldiers of the 48th Infantry Brigade, which deployed earlier this year.
Dudney told reporters that their purpose is to train and mentor the Afghanistan national security forces, which includes building relations with the national army, police and border police there.
He said he is proud the work his Citizen-Soldiers are accomplishing, including mentorship of the local police districts, helping those police to understand the differences between civil and military law enforcement as well as fundamental operations like maintaining logs and registers, how to operate jails and how to walk police beats.
One of the brigade's Soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, while performing his duties. Officials said Staff Sgt. Alex French IV, 31, of Milledgeville, Ga., died Sept. 30 in Kwhost, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment based in Lawrenceville, Ga.
The Georgia Guard members paid their respects to French at a memorial ceremony, Oct. 4, on Camp Clark, Afghanistan. Back home, French had worked as a corrections officer.
Dudney said a large percentage of the brigade's Guardmembers are law enforcement officers back in Georgia.
That experience facilitates their missions. "We are uniquely suited and qualified to do this kind of work, especially when it comes to training and mentoring the Afghan national police," said Dudney.
The brigade is also involved in humanitarian efforts in their area of operations. He said the brigade brings humanitarian supplies – including food and blankets – to villages and schools.
Dudney said there is an overflow of support from their state and across the nation for their deployment. He said that care packages, cards and letters they receive help get them through the tough days.
Although they have a two-week leave allotted, many of them – especially the senior ranking Soldiers – will not make it home for approaching holidays, he said.
Dudney said their 10-month mission will end sometime in the spring.
"You can be so very proud of what these men and women are doing and how they are representing the state and the nation, day-in and day-out," he said.
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