Afghan Officials, Citizens, Reconstruction Team Meet

As reported by Coalition Joint forces in Afghanistan, the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team, local citizens, and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials joined in a meeting, or shura, to discuss various matters regarding the area of the Nawhahar District.

Within the shura, those in attendance were able to talk about and recommit to giving aide to those in the village and surrounding area. The types of things that are need in the area are reconstruction and development, a solid governing body, and security to name a few. The government officials in attendance included Zabul Provincial Governor Delbar Jan Arman. Some of the topics that were brought up were putting in new wells to provide clean drinking water, strengthening the security in the area to insure the safety of the citizens, and providing more for the schools.

In other news in Afghanistan, the landing gear assembly of a Chinook helicopter, flown by Coalition forces, was broken off during a landing yesterday. The helicopter was in the middle of a mission helping out Coalition ground forces in the area around Helmand Province when the incident occurred.

The incident happened when the Chinook helicopter was trying to land during a Coalition forces mission and the left front wheel ran into a rock near the landing area. The wheel came off and the soldiers aboard the craft checked out the problem to make a judgment on the extent of the damages.

Upon review of the situation it was determined that the helicopter would need to go back to base for a maintenance check and repairs to the wheel area. The crew was able to leave the mission and return to base without causing further harm and with no injuries to any of the crew members. They did not bring the broken wheel back with them due to the need to get back to base quickly and the fact that the ground around the landing area was difficult to get around on.

The reason for the damage sustained will be reviewed to make sure everything that could have been done was done and to eliminate any possible fault on the part of a crew member.