MAIN DISPATCH

579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)

www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm Vol. 1, No. 1 | Summer 2010

Engineers
redesign COIN Commander’s Post | 2

tactics in Command Sergeant

Major’s Note | 3
Afghanistan Deployment pictures
By Mark Abueg of the quarter | 4, 5
579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)
FEST-M discusses projects in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
Intel officer sees flipside to
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A blend of civilian and military members in an
Active Duty U.S. Army unit are proving to be a relevant force to battle insurgents in Afghanistan. Afghan insurgency | 6
But not in the typical “battle” sense accustomed to war doctrine.
These Department of the Army Civilians aren’t providing security for convoys. These U.S. Views outside the wire | 6
Army Soldiers aren’t raiding enemy hideouts.
This hybrid field force engineering team is helping bring stability to the city of Kandahar
through a counterinsurgency (COIN) effort, which aims to protect local residents from insurgents
and provide Afghans with a functioning society focused on development and governance.
Hamkari Baraye Kandahar, or Cooperation for Kandahar, in the language Dari, is a
multi-layered joint military-civil operation. The Civilians and Soldiers of the 579th Engineer
Detachment (FEST-M), based out of Vicksburg, Miss., have established a presence on Kandahar Like us on Facebook
Airfield, Afghanistan, where they are taking engineering projects of this operation and outlining
a process for the Afghan people to take control against the Taliban.
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SEE COIN PAGE 2
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There’s a place like home for USACE engineer View us on Flickr

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – He must have clicked his heels only twice because flickr.com/photos/579festm
he didn’t quite make it back to his home country of Pakistan. But he did manage his way to the
neighboring nation of Afghanistan. Watch us on YouTube
Javed Ahmed, highway engineer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer
Support Team - Main), is stationed at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where he designs roads youtube.com/user/579festm
and buildings for the people of Afghanistan
Yesterday afternoon, he took the time to improve his teammates’ understanding of the country Catch us on CNN iReport
they are trying to aid.
“I am from this area, but I was born in Pakistan,” he said. “Born and raised there, so I know the
ireport.cnn.com/people/579festm
history, culture and the people of Afghanistan. Many things common and many things different.”
Ahmed explained that Pakistan and Afghanistan’s history is what weaves them so closely Join us on LinkedIn
together, and it also gives him a better understanding of the country where he is now serving a
year-long deployment.
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SEE PAKISTAN PAGE 3

GLOBAL
GLOBAL SUPPORT
SUPPORT
PAGE 2
MAIN DISPATCH
COL. RICHARD W. DEAN II
COMMANDER
COMMAND SGT. MAJ. HARRY L. COLLINS
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR
MARK ABUEG
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | EDITOR
ADDRESSES
INTERNATIONAL: 579TH EN DET (FEST-M)
KAF, AFGHANISTAN
APO AE 09355
UNITED STATES: 4155 CLAY ST, SUITE 120
VICKSBURG, MS 39183-3435
E-MAIL: 579FESTMPAO@USACE.ARMY.MIL
PHONE NUMBERS
INTERNATIONAL: (+93) 70-661-6975
(+93) 79-389-5344
UNITED STATES: (601) 631-5987
VISION
A great field force engineering team operating as
a deployed mini-district providing support and
communicating with engineering kits and reachback
capabilities to deliver technical expertise to globally
unique challenges.
MISSION
Provide vital contract construction and technical
engineering services to strengthen command and
control of expeditionary elements and synchronize
engineering functions across areas of responsibilities
during overseas contingency operations and disaster
relief efforts.
-------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER
MAIN DISPATCH is an authorized publication for
members of the Department of Defense under the
provision of AR 360-1. Editorial views and opinions
are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed
by, the U.S. Government, the Department of the
Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or the
579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M).
GLOBAL SUPPORT www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm
MAIN DISPATCH SUMMER 2010
COMMANDER’S POST
Four months ago, we made a trip from Vicksburg,
Mississippi, that changed our lives. Our Active Duty
U.S. Army unit comprised of Civilians and Soldiers
sacrificed so much to help a nation with so little.
Afghanistan’s unique problem mandates a unique
solution, rather than a more traditional military
operation. This is where our detachment stepped in
as our highly specialized team has been using the
necessary skill sets to design and construct projects to
bring stability to the Afghans and their government.
We hope for the Afghan people to have a renewed Col. Richard W. Dean II
confidence in their sovereignty, and are convinced that supporting their government
is a better option than supporting the insurgency.
According to NATO officials, Kandahar is going to be a big test for the
governance process and security establishment in Afghanistan. And it will not get
easier for us as our deployment will continue to be complex and challenging, while
tough days lie ahead.
But our engineer team is ready to continue keeping the people of Afghanistan
safer and keeping the United States of America and coalition partners more secure.
I also want to recognize and thank our families and friends back home for their support,
letters and care packages for our detachment! Your care for us is making the difference.
I am very proud to be a part of this team, and to be working alongside these very
special, talented Civilians and Soldiers. Global Support!
COL. RICHARD W. DEAN II
COIN: Hamkari defines engineer mission
GLOBAL SUPPORT
FROM PAGE 1
“Hamkari for us includes everything from designing government buildings to
remodeling police substations,” Col. Richard W. Dean II, FEST-M commander said.
“It’s a cooperation of Afghan, U.S., International and NATO forces working together
on projects trying to build up the local Afghan infrastructure.”
Projects include taking deconstructed buildings and then making them into usable
facilities for the local government.
“Some include Afghanistan’s Department of Public Health and the Department of
Human Rights,” Dean said. “The engineers are taking some of their existing buildings
and then redesigning and adding services such as electricity, air conditioning, and
plumbing to them. Basic services that we may sometimes take for granted.”
Other times the engineer team is starting from scratch and designing buildings for
the Afghans, Dean added.
“From President Hamid Karzai to local mayors to local jirgas,” Dean said. “These
are the people we are aiding.”
Coming off two of the deadliest months in Afghanistan, new buildings may prove
to just be new targets for the enemy. But they are also a symbol of hope and stability
for the war-torn nation.
“If we build a police station, Afghans will have some kind of security they know
they’re going to be safe from the Taliban,” said Ronnie J. Davis, FEST-M operations
officer. “We build and redesign schools and hospitals, and they’ll have a place to go
to and they can use these facilities.
“So hopefully that will detour the Taliban in some way. This will show the locals
rejecting the insurgency and supporting their government.”
By improving their way of life, it’s also about building their self-esteem, Davis added.
To win the lucrative “hearts and minds” of the people, the engineers first need to
win the support of the people. Then they can give the nation hope for the future. MD
SUMMER 2010 MAIN DISPATCH PAGE 3

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR’S NOTE

I have been a part of many deployments throughout my career, but none more special than this one. It’s
because I’m able to stand side-by-side with a unique blend of individuals in Afghanistan. Our engineer team
comes from all parts of the world, including Illinois to Texas; California to Maryland; even from Pakistan to
Poland; and the Philippines to Puerto Rico.
In the short amount of time together, the staff has grown to be much more than co-workers. We’re now a
family. I appreciate all of them being such great ambassadors for what America is all about.
I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you to our families and friends back home. Without your love
and support, this deployment would be much harder. You inspire us to accomplish many things, but above all,
you give us hope to come home safe.
Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.
Global Support!
Command Sgt. Maj.
Harry L. Collins
COMMAND SGT. MAJ. HARRY L. COLLINS

PAKISTAN: Engineer shows parallel between Southwest Asia countries

FROM PAGE 1
Born in a small Pakistan agriculture
community, Ahmed comes from a humble
background that not many people can say
they have experienced.
Javed Ahmed explains Afghanistan’s geographical
terrain during a class he gave to his fellow teammates.
“I got my early education in the village
school, and it was literally under the trees,”
he explained. “There was a two-room
school, five classes taught, and one teacher
teaching these five classes.”
After finishing grammar and middle
school, he was selected for a high school- part to help stabilize Afghanistan in every
level program that prepared him to become way he knows possible.
a military officer. For now Ahmed will have to do without
“That actually helped me a lot in being in the comforts of his native home.
helping me advance in my career,” he said. Though there are some aspects that still
“It served as a springboard in my education
and career.”
Though Ahmed had a different
calling. He opted not to join the military,
and instead pursued a career towards
engineering.
GLOBAL and
“I was really into chemistry SUPPORT
the
sciences,” he said. “I really enjoyed
designing things.”
He worked as a chemical engineer in
Pakistan before moving to Canada, where
he received a master’s degree in chemical Engineers learn more about the history of
engineering. Afghanistan during a history and culture course.
“Then I moved to USA, and then I got
my degree in civil engineering and here I remind him of his days as a child running
am,” he continued. through his village.
Here he is now. Here being Afghanistan. “Afghanistan reminds me of the weather
A place he knows all too well. A land he when I was in Pakistan,” he said. “Same
grew up so close to and eventually moved kind of heat. Same kind of hot weather. So
far away from. Now Ahmed is doing his I feel like I am back home.” MD

INTEL: Counterinsurgency extends to all levels of special support functions

FROM PAGE 6
“And I say, ‘Well how does that
affect the folks on the ground and
how can you bring them to support
to get the job done?’ So that’s the
idea everybody has to understand.”
COIN is supposed to provide
the forces necessary to put an
Afghan face on the country added
Vanwormer.
According to FM 3-24, the
counterinsurgency is those
military, paramilitary, political,
economic, psychological, and civic
actions taken by a government to
defeat insurgency.
The other side of the coin is
that insurgency is an organized
movement aimed at the overthrow
of a constituted government
through the use of subversion and
armed conflict.
“It’s not about how much
fighting we do, but about how
we better prepare our partners to
govern and defend,” Yoon said.
For COIN, the side that learns
faster and adapts more rapidly
usually wins.
Yoon understands that it is not
a matter of a military operation
in Afghanistan, but a respect of
peaceful cooperation in bringing
the Afghan people back to the front
as the face of their nation.
“When I think about COIN
operation, I think about winning
hearts and minds when I put my
intelligence (information) together,”
he said. “I’m going to look into the
areas that they covered during the
training, such as analyzing human
terrain rather than just physical
terrain from now on.” MD

www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm GLOBAL SUPPORT

PAGE 4 MAIN DISPATCH SUMMER 2010

Showing Maj. Ronnie Davis, center, and Capt. Chris Ericson salute the Honoring Rodney Stephen, left, and Roman Bieniek pay tribute to fallen
respect colors passing by during a Change of Command Ceremony. comrades Servicemembers during a Memorial Day Observance.

GLOBAL SUPPORT

Fire, Purvis Eldridge shows how to put out a fire with an Roger, Jim Hynum, left, and Danny McLaughlin go over their notes
fire, fire extinguisher during a Fire Marshall training course. over, out on how to properly communicate on a military radio line.

Cool Betty Jo Spiering participated in the 22nd Annual KeyBank Riding Sgt. 1st Class Candido Aguilar, left, gives Sgt. 1st Class
running Vermont City Marathon & Relay held on Camp Phoenix. around Alfonso Gonzalez a ride around the airfield.

GLOBAL SUPPORT www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm

SUMMER 2010 MAIN DISPATCH PAGE 5

FEST-M Joyce Borum, Debra Wallin, Pat Daniel and Betty Jo Spiering, 579th Robert Jackson, Purvis Eldridge, Mike Quinn, and Alfonso Santa,
angels left to right, enjoy some free time on Camp Phoenix. kings left to right, and Sam Stacy, center, unwind on Kandahar Airfield.

Engineer group takes break in Middle East

After more than three months of a year-long deployment, the
579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) introduced new members,
said goodbye to another, and awarded certificates to individuals
during the occasion.
“This was just a great time,” said Debra Wallin, FEST-M
construction inspection technician. “I’m usually out on a field
site, so I don’t get a chance to see most of the team on a
daily basis. I’m glad I did today.”
GLOBAL SUPPORT
“Gold Star” awards were presented to members of the team
for going above and beyond their normal scope of duties.
“It was a really nice gesture,” said Sam Stacy, public works
engineer, who was the first to receive the award. “I’m just
happy to be able to do my part in our mission, and honored
to be serving with everyone here.”
A special “Lugnut” award was given to Sgt. 1st Class Candido
Aguilar for his dedication to keep his commander safe and mobile.

Afghan Billy Stewart, center, thanks two Afghan Nationals for helping Canadian Lt. Col. Sam Jaynes, center-right, takes a seat with the
partnership set-up some new offices in the team’s Camp Phoenix office. contingency Canadian Technical Assistance Visit (TAV) team.

www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm GLOBAL SUPPORT

PAGE 6 MAIN DISPATCH SUMMER 2010

Intel officer sees flipside to Afghan insurgency

CAMP JULIEN, Afghanistan – All alone, trying to fill a void, the military intelligence officer
looked all around, but found no allies by his side.
He and the Coalition Forces were supposed to counter the Taliban, but without the support of the
Afghan people, he did not have a shot. The only explosion would be if the Coalition partnered with
tribal leaders, village elders, and the government. Then, and only then, could the intel officer and the
Coalition stand a chance.
The good lieutenant had to learn how to shift the balance of power out of the insurgency’s grasps
and into the counterinsurgency’s stronghold. Luckily for him, history and present unfolded during
a skit looking into the insurgency and counterinsurgency within Afghanistan. He looked on and
understood the relationship, roles and tasks of the multiple partnerships involved in defeating the
insurgency in Afghanistan.
As the fictitious representative of the Coalition Forces, 1st Lt. Jungsang Yoon, factual intelligence
officer for the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main), and his fellow
team members, participated in a 3-day Counterinsurgency (COIN) course, from May 14 to 16,
designed to increase the understanding of Afghanistan and the insurgency.
“I got to know the basics of what Gen. (Stanley A.) McChrystal is going for in terms of counterinsurgency,”
Yoon said. “So I know what is important out there; so I can put these COIN basics into my work piece of
military intelligence to keep the team better informed and better prepared.”
Operations in Afghanistan have taken a somewhat different approach in dealing with the
insurgency. Gone are the days when Coalition Forces would drive down the road at blazing speeds
with signs on the back of their HMMWV demanding local nationals to back away or be fired upon.
“We’re going to reinforce using the government of Afghanistan to ensure that they are the element
that the people trust giving them the actual place of advancement in society,” said Sgt. 1st Class Casey
S. Vanwormer, COIN instructor. “We’re going to understand the cultural dynamics at a village level.”
The COIN training is designed not just for leaders, but for all individuals with different skill sets.
1st Lt. Jungsang Yoon in a COIN skit.
“I’ve taught a couple thousand people in the past four months, and initially what all these people say
is, ‘I don’t need that. I don’t work on the ground. I don’t work with the government,’
GLOBALVanwormer
SUPPORTsaid. “I say, ‘But what do you do?’ And they tell me.
SEE INTEL PAGE 3

Views outside the wire

A woman and her child sit outside the Embassy of the

United States of America in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Fly over of a residential area Boys wave hello to an aircraft landing near
in Kandahar City, Afghanistan. Camp Nathan Smith, Afghanistan.

A homeless puppy waits outside A building sits on the outskirts of The King’s Palace, which may one day be restored,
of Camp Dubs, Afghanistan. Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. lays dormant near Camp Julien, Afghanistan.

GLOBAL SUPPORT www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm