CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan, April 3, 2007 — The command surgeon for the Combined Security Transition Command, Col. Donald Thompson, received the Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan High Medal recently in Kabul.

The award was presented by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in appreciation of outstanding military and civil services rendered by Thompson.

Within the presidential decree, President Karzai stated, "I approve the awarding to Mr. Donald F. Thompson, head of coalition forces health care in Afghanistan, in honor of his services; who has performed important and valuable health services in our country."

Thompson has been deployed for more than a year and has worked with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

"I've taken a particular interest in improving the health care delivery system in the civilian sector also," Thompson said.

Afghanistan's health care reconstruction is at the stage where they can impact the prioritization of where the funds go, he said.

The colonel's focus was on improving the health care for the military, police and their dependents by also putting money into the civilian sector, which - in turn - improves the care available to the average Afghan civilian.

The government of Afghanistan is making progress, the 25-year Air Force member said.

"I'm using resources that the Defense Department provides to encourage the growth of the government by encouraging different ministries to work together."

Several key health care projects have been funded.