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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (June 24, 2008) - U.S. Marines and
British forces of Task Force Helmand opened a joint civil-military
operations center yesterday near the British Forward Operating Base
Delhi in the Garmsir district here.
On its first day, the CMOC had 31 visitors and paid 15
claims.
The Marines established the CMOC and provided the initial
administration, command and control to run it, and will continue to
maintain the secure environment in which the center will operate,
officials said. Their focus will be battle damage reparations and
coordinating with those follow-on agencies to continue the work of
reconstruction and development.
Task Force Helmand will focus on building an enduring capability
to support stabilization, reconstruction and development, officials
said.
The British forces have assigned a stabilization advisor to
Garmsir. He will work with the local government, military and
support agencies to assist and coordinate reconstruction and
development efforts as they apply to governance, law, security and
the economy. The Afghan government has assigned a representative
from the Ministry of Reconstruction and Rural Development.
Local Afghans will be hired for administration and support roles
in the CMOC. Other governmental and nongovernmental agencies will
come online, officials said, as needs arise and capabilities become
available.
"We need to have a measured approach to the influx of supporting
agencies," said Marine Corps Col. Peter Petronzio, commanding
officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO International
Security Assistance Force. "If we aren't careful, we will do more
than can be sustained upon our departure. Our guiding principle
needs to be the needs and desires of the people of Garmsir."
The ultimate purpose, aside from assisting the Afghan citizens,
is to make the eventual departure of the Marines as transparent as
possible to the local community, said Marine Corps Chief Warrant
Officer 2 Rene Cote, 24th MEU civil affairs officer. "Our approach
is to work with alliance partners and the government of the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan to build capacity in a manner that is
sustainable after the eventual departure of Marine forces," he
said.
Marines are here to secure routes through the district to enable
the extension of the Afghan government, working in support of
ISAF.
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