HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan–While Afghan National Army and U.K. soldiers searched vehicles along a roadway on the outskirts of Camp Bastion, one soldier spoke to the inhabitants of a local settlement, enabling him to develop a better understanding of the local population’s concerns.
Even when the vehicle check point turned into a foot patrol, the soldier chose to walk beside the vehicles, stopping occasionally to communicate with villagers among scattered stacks of wheat, sweet corn and poppy crops, a prominent source of their income.
“I was out here today to collect socio-cultural information on the people of Settlement Two,” said Army Capt. Steven J. Lacy, a team leader with Human Terrain Team, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, and East Wenatchee, Wash., native. “My goal is to have enough information so someone can use it to make a positive result.”
The team’s objective is to listen to what villagers have to say to help build a positive rapport between the locals and the nearby bases of Camps Bastion and Leatherneck.
Lacy’s mission, in particular, includes gathering accurate information and understanding the population’s point of view.
“I’m more into the perspective of the people,” Lacy said. “You must dedicate yourself to trying to understand them.”
Lacy’s hope, over time, is that the populace in the surrounding area will come to trust the International Security Assistance Force troops serving close to them. Until then, he has committed himself to strengthening the community’s relationship with the camps.
The settlement already feels an increased sense of security with ISAF forces operating near their residences, one reason many of the inhabitants have come to this location during the past few years, Lacy said.
“Just the NATO forces being here is a success story,” he said. “They feel safe because we’re here.”
Since most of the Afghans located at the settlement are capable of providing for themselves, Lacy has advised senior military officials that future plans should accommodate their needs, while not conditioning them to be dependent on ISAF aid.
“Settlement Two is sustainable,” Lacy said. “It’s all about needs versus assistance.”
Lacy hopes that relationships with the settlements will continue and prosper in the future. With increased one-on-one contact, he believes ISAF forces will continue to gain their trust and foster a harmonious friendship with mutual gains to be made.
“Just today, people were coming up to speak with me,” Lacy said. “If they feel we’re good neighbors, they’ll volunteer information to assist us.”
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