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WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2008) - Long known to protect the
waters surrounding the United States, the question asked each time
someone sees them is, "What is the U.S. Coast Guard doing
here?"
Chief Petty Officer Daniel Kinville and Petty Officer 2nd Class
Lauren Kowalewski are part of an eight-person unit from the Coast
Guard's 1179th Deployment Support Brigade, and are the only two
Coast Guard personnel in Afghanistan.
"Usually, everyone's first reaction when they see us is shock,"
said Kowalewski, a Pittsburgh native. "They can't seem to figure
out why we're so far from the U.S. coast and why we're in a
landlocked country."
The answer lies in the Coast Guard's reputation for keen
attention to detail with paperwork, packing, customs and
hazardous-materials shipping and storage -- their ability to
continually ship containers across oceans without frustration
issues. Based on this expertise, Army officials requested the Coast
Guard's help with redeploying and sealifting their gear.
The Coastie duo adds another flavor to the vast assortment of
uniforms here, and for many Soldiers, seeing a Bagram-based Coastie
holds a silver lining, Kowalewski said.
"The Soldiers get really excited when they see us," she
explained. "They know that once we get here and start customs
services, [it] means they are getting closer to going home."
Kinville and Kowalewski are serving nine-month deployments, and
neither is performing duties typical to their Coast Guard
specialty. As a prerequisite for their duties here, each had to go
through extensive hazardous-materials handling and packing and
shipping courses, followed by convoy travel and weapons
training.
Still, the additional training and stepping out of normal roles
expands a servicemember's breadth of experience, said Kinville, a
Yorktown, Va., native.
"We get the experience of working with the Navy, Air Force, Army
and Marines. This is something totally different than what we do
back in the states," he said.
They were both startled when they heard a 155 mm Howitzer fire
for the first time, and Kowalewski experienced her first helicopter
ride.
"The chance to be here, [to] see the front lines with the
Soldiers [and to] experience their way of life in and around the
different stages of deployment is really amazing," Kinville said.
"I'm proud to be able to support them and help where I can."
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