July 13th was the first shura I was able to go to. After multiple attempts to get on a mission, I had finally succeeded. It was the perfect day: the sun was covered by dust, it was only moderately hot and I only had two cameras, three lenses, two weapons and my body armor to carry! Like I said, the perfect day.
We got to where we were going and had to climb down this hill, cross a stream, jump over a canal (I didn't quite make it; one foot touched the green water), march our way across a big open plain, through a tree farm and finally reach our little village.
The shura itself was pretty boring. Nothing I would want to sit through everyday. I'm a photographer; I get bored easily. Luckily I have a team of security forces (SecFor, they call themselves) all around me to take pictures of. These are pretty cool guys. So after snapping a couple shots of the shura, I got distracted by the Pennsylvania Guard. Most of the SecFor are from an infantry background (their job here is mostly what an MP would do: security) so they want to go out and kill people and kick in doors. I must have heard it five times while we were out there: "This guy looks suspicious, go ask Washington if I can kick his door in and search his house." Yep. Infantry. I've got a lot of respect for these guys. The average person probably wouldn't be able to do what they do and see what they see. Most of them will get home from here and be right back out a couple months doing what they love.
Here's a couple photos from the day (more on flickr!):
We got to where we were going and had to climb down this hill, cross a stream, jump over a canal (I didn't quite make it; one foot touched the green water), march our way across a big open plain, through a tree farm and finally reach our little village.
The shura itself was pretty boring. Nothing I would want to sit through everyday. I'm a photographer; I get bored easily. Luckily I have a team of security forces (SecFor, they call themselves) all around me to take pictures of. These are pretty cool guys. So after snapping a couple shots of the shura, I got distracted by the Pennsylvania Guard. Most of the SecFor are from an infantry background (their job here is mostly what an MP would do: security) so they want to go out and kill people and kick in doors. I must have heard it five times while we were out there: "This guy looks suspicious, go ask Washington if I can kick his door in and search his house." Yep. Infantry. I've got a lot of respect for these guys. The average person probably wouldn't be able to do what they do and see what they see. Most of them will get home from here and be right back out a couple months doing what they love.
Here's a couple photos from the day (more on flickr!):
QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Cohen, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, closes the back door of his vehicle before a mission in Zabul Province July 13, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. Sergeant Cohen is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)
QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- Village leaders and members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul discuss the needs of the village during a shura in Zabul Province July 13, 2010. A shura is a traditional meeting where tribal elders discuss major issues and make the best decisions for their tribe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)
QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- An Afghan man holds his son during a shura in Zabul Province July 13, 2010. A shura is a traditional meeting where tribal elders discuss major issues and make the best decisions for their tribe. Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul is continually working with local officials to establish a solid relationship between the government and the people. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)
QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Sgt. Phillip Toward, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul security forces gunner, secures the perimeter of a village during a dismounted patrol in Zabul Province July 13, 2010. Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)
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