Company of Soldiers Visits Afghan School

By Sgt. Brandon Aird, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2007 – Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), also known as “The Rock,” visited a school nestled along the banks of the Pech River in Bar Narang, Afghanistan, earlier this month.

A school girl pauses Dec. 4 after receiving a school bag from Narang Sub-Gov. Haii Tahulam while an Afghan National Police officer looks on in Bar Narang, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. The school supplies were donated by Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne). (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Brandon Aird)   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

During the Dec. 4 visit, Army Capt. Michael T. Jackson and Army 1st Sgt. Mitchell Rucker, the company’s commander and first sergeant, talked with school teachers and village elders about the possibility of future projects to improve the school.

“Education is very important,” Jackson explained.

Afghan National Police helped the unit provide security while Jackson, Rucker and Narang Sub-governor Haii Tahulam took a short tour of the school.

Jackson talked with school teachers about the possibilities of renovating some of the pre-existing buildings and also the potential to build some new classrooms. “I need your input so I can sell the project and try to get funding,” Jackson explained to the teachers.

After the tour, Tahulam handed out bags containing pens, pencils, notepads and other school supplies. The unit members also promised to visit again soon.

(Army Sgt. Brandon Aird is assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)