General David Petraeus visits Panjwai District
By Lieutenant-Colonel Michel-Henri St-Louis
At the Panjwai District Centre, ISAF commander Gen David H. Petraeus receives a briefing from BGen Ahmad Habibi on recent improvements in local security, development and governance as BGen Dean Milner listens intently.
BGen Dean Milner delivers his update on local security, development and governance to Gen David Petraeus and BGen Ahmad Habibi at the Panjwa’i District Centre.
BGen Dean Milner makes a point while briefing ISAF commander Gen David Petraeus on recent positive developments in Panjwa’i District.
Accompanied by BGen Ahmad Habibi, commander of 1/205 ANA (left); Tim Martin, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar (“RoCK”, centre rear)); and BGen Dean Milner, commander of Task Force Kandahar (right), ISAF commander Gen David Petraeus tours the Panjwa’i District Centre and its associated facilities.
An Afghan police officer makes a presentation using a display of weapons and police equipment to ISAF commander Gen David Petraeus during a tour of the facilities at the Panjwai District Centre.
With District Governor Haji Fazluddin Agha (right, wearing turban) at his side, ISAF commander Gen David Petraeus thanks ANP officers for their tour of security facilities at the Panjwai District Centre.
Under the gaze of the District Chief of Police (second from left), an Afghan police officer shows off a new motorcycle to ISAF commander Gen David Petraeus (second from right) and BGen Ahmad Habibi during a tour of the facilities at Panjwai District Centre.
On 23 May, the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, General David Petraeus, made his first visit to Panjwa’i District since 1st Battalion Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group took charge.
During a stay of several hours, Gen Petraeus received a full update from Brigadier-General Dean Milner, Commander of Task Force Kandahar, and BGen Ahmad Habibi, Commander of the 1st Brigade, 205 Corps Afghan National Army. Next, he was received by Panjwa’i District Governor Haji Fazludin Agha in his shura room, and heard from the governor himself about positive new developments in this district, which has been in the grasp of the insurgency for some 10 years. This series of presentations was followed by a traditional Afghan meal of rice, naan (Afghan flatbread), and grilled mutton and chicken.
“Canada can be very proud of the progress made over the last six to eight months,” enthused Gen Petraeus, noting the sheer scope of achievements described by the District Governor and the Canadian and Afghan military commanders.
Observing and listening to updates on security improvements, road construction, school openings, build-up in the Afghan national security forces and the enthusiasm of the District Governor’s organization, the ISAF commander marked the point at which the situation began to evolve in a positive direction, and that none of it could have been predicted at this time last year. Congratulating the District Governor for his leadership and BGen Habibi for the efforts of the Afghan army, he concluded by saying that Canada could be proud of the work that has been done in Task Force Kandahar’s area of operations.
Over the coming days, a period when the intensity of hostilities usually increases, we will see whether the improvements in security, governance and reconstruction are enough to reduce this traditional escalation of violence.
LCol M.-H. St-Louis is currently deployed in Afghanistan in command of the 1 R22eR Battle Group.
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