February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:15 Page 26
Reconstruction and Dev
A LO’s Perspective
2Lt Mike Gough 131 (V) Indep Cdo Sqn
T
he sun is shining. I’ve just eaten a Desperate Dan sized steak,
cooked to perfection by a friendly American with a BBQ, and
I’m drinking cold Gatorade whilst chewing the fat with my colleagues.
This isn’t a holiday, this is how today’s second patrol with the USMC in
Musa Qal’eh finished. Now before I start getting hate blueys sent my way,
this is the only time it’s happened so far, and normally I enjoy the Cordon
Bleu, culinary delight that is a 10 man ration pack like everyone else.
So what is a member of 131 Indep Cdo Sqn (V) doing here in Musa
Qal’eh, besides eating steak? As the resident Reconstruction and
Development (R&D) Engineer LO, I oversee the R&D projects in Musa
Qal’eh which are contracted to Afghan firms. A persuader, prodder, frequent
agony uncle and general spy on the ground for the CSC in Lashkar Gah, I
report daily to them to keep them informed.
The role requires me to visit all the project sites as frequently as possi-
ble. This means I get out on a lot of patrols, which is great now the initial
shock of the heat, body armour and maize taller than me has worn off.
Currently we have 8 ongoing projects around Musa Qal’eh, including a
school refurbishment and development, construction of a comprehensive
health clinic, water towers and the inevitable mosque. Several concrete
roads have already been laid around the district centre and a generator,
provided by USAID, supplies electricity to those connected to it on the
days the power from the Kajaki dam goes to Yatamchi; a two days on, two
days off rotation. You have to temper your expectations with the quality of
work you encounter on the various sites, and remember that the contrac-
tors often only have basic tools and equipment when you wonder how
things can take so long. Things are seldom the contractors’ fault, however,
as work is always completed “inshallah” - “God willing”.
I hold a daily walk-in R&D ‘shura’ for the contractors where we discuss
progress, targets and problems. This generally goes well and they’re easy
to build a rapport with. As my Pashto is on the patchy side (non-existent)
I have my interpreter, Alliyah, with me for this. He is a bit of a character,
has some interesting views about how to fix Afghanistan and is also the
resident DJ for Musa Qal’eh FM. If you like jingly music, sparkly hats
and hot, wet sugar with a drop of tea in it then this is the place for you.
All in all it’s been really good, and the days quickly turn to weeks up
here. There are a lot of familiar faces from new found friends from 77
Armd Engr Sqn so there are plenty of Sappers around. I’ve done quite a
lot of interesting things in my first month, and had the opportunity to
work alongside the USMC with the Afghan National Police (ANP), and
the Afghan National Army (ANA) with the OMLT (Operational Liaison
and Mentoring Team). Roll on the rest of the tour!
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