An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 11, 2010

Georgia Guardsmen on the Pakistan border

By Senior Chief Petty Officer Kevin Elliott 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team<

DAND PATAN, Afghanistan - Combat Outpost Dand Patan clings to the side of a hill about 200 yards from the Pakistan Border.

"You can throw a rock and hit Pakistan," said 1st Lt. Timothy Moran, executive officer for Bravo Company, 2-121, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard.

The outpost is so isolated, the first two weeks Bravo Company lived there, water and MRE's were airdropped in.

"When we first found we were coming to the Pakistan border it was a little nerve racking," Moran said. "But actually coming out here and working with the Afghan border police really wasn't as bad as what we had expected."

The ABP is a paramilitary force that controls border crossings. Bravo Company worked hand in hand with the ABP to improve border checkpoints, searching incoming vehicles and personnel and taught them how to keep unwanted materials and people from entering Afghanistan.

"This unit is one of the first units to push this far on the border," said Moran. "We've worked diligently to improve relations with Afghan national security forces."

Moran said they often sit down with their Afghan counterparts, talk about their families, personal relationships and drink Chai.

"One cup makes you an acquaintance," he said. "Two cups makes you a friend and three cups of Chai is supposed to make you a family member. I've drunk more cups than I can count."

Working in a combined action environment with the Afghans is not without risk.

"The biggest risk of combined actions is taking for granted that they will do what we think they are supposed to do," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Huffman, squad leader of 1st platoon.

"Because combined action means we do everything together. The biggest risk is a risk of complacency and when we stop supervising is when bad things happen. The biggest benefit is that once you are their friend, they will die for you. They will do anything for you. They will break their backs for you."

When Bravo Company first arrived, there was only a rock wall surrounding the camp and a few empty buildings. The Soldiers had to rely on their own resources for everything.

"We've been very fortunate," said Sgt. Jason Abercrombie, the senior company medic. "We have several guys with civilian jobs that have been very useful; electricians, heating and air, carpenters. All of our civilian talents played a huge roll in making things function here."

Abercrombie's medical skills came into play when a suicide bomber infiltrated the camp and injured five soldiers. Despite taking shrapnel to his back and legs, Abercrombie gave triage to the wounded and worked hard to save the life of an unresponsive Soldier, who eventually came around and was flown to a hospital. That night in the shower, he pulled a piece of shrapnel out of his own leg. He had been wounded before in Iraq when an IED blew up his Humvee. "It wasn't my first rodeo getting blown up, but I hope it's the last," he said.

The challenges of living on the front line have not been lost on Sgt. Lionel Mingo.

"It's living a dream, making memories," he said. "Being on the Pakistan border as opposed to being in the rear, I know where the frontline is now. It gives you a sense of heightened awareness. Five years from now I'm going to remember that I was part of this experience, I was literally at the front line and I gave my all to the mission. I left nothing here."

Moran said it all comes down to trust. "I believe we've built a trust with the ABP," he said. "They respect the fact that we've come from far away to assist in building their paramilitary force and they've made us feel invited. We are their guests."

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...