Passing on Knowledge to the Future Engineers of Afghanistan

By Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Twelve weeks and sixty hours later seventeen students of the Sheikh Zayed University graduated the construction engineering training taught by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bruce Pastorini, from Jacksonville, Fla., Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team, June 10.

The course is a senior elective for the engineering students and is broken up into three areas: an overview of engineering studies, project delivery, and quality management quality verification.

“This is the kind of course I wish they had when I was a senior in college,” said Pastorini.

By teaching these young men critical engineering skills it will further the development of Khost province as well as the other provinces of Afghanistan.

“I challenge you to use what you’ve learned to better this country,” said Dr. Gul Nuwaz, Sheikh Zayed University vice chancellor.

Pastorini worked alongside four Afghan engineers and in the future the class will be taught solely by Afghan engineers at the University.

“I really enjoyed doing this and sharing what I know, and comparing the instructor’s experiences with my own. I highly respect these guys because of the risks they take every day to educate the next generation of engineers,” said Pastrini

Upon completion of this course the students will have a bachelor in civil engineering and move into the work force.

“At this point they can go into any job as a beginning engineer for the PRT or coalition forces and be as good as or better than engineers out there now,” said Pastorini.


Dr. Gul Nuwaz, Sheikh Zayed University vice chancellor, hands out a graduation certificate, June 10. Seventeen students from the University graduated the twelve week construction engineering course taught by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bruce Pastorini, from Jacksonville, Fla., Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team engineer. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


Dr. Gul Nuwaz, Sheikh Zayed University vice chancellor, reads out names of students graduating from the twelve week construction engineering course, June 10. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


Students from Sheikh Zayed University attend a twelve week construction engineering course taught by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bruce Pastorini, from Jacksonville, Fla., Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team engineer, May 11. The course is a senior elective for the students and is broken into three blocks. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


Students from Sheikh Zayed University attend a twelve week construction engineering course taught by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bruce Pastorini, from Jacksonville, Fla., Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team engineer, May 11. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)

Farming Classes at Sabari District Center

By Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Agribusiness Development Team worked with the Sabari district governor, Zaermaed Muhklas, to facilitate irrigation and compost training for 105 farmers over a three day period, beginning 1 June.

The two courses were taught by an Afghan ADT cultural advisor to minimize the military presence at the district center.

“Having two weeks of preparation time with the district governor and Sabari civil affairs officer contributed to the success of training,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Umbarger, from Dana, Ind., 2-19th ADT noncommissioned officer in charge.

Both courses incorporated techniques and tools that are easily duplicated on either large or small scale with tools purchased from the local bazaar. Sabari farmers that attended the training were given a chapin bucket drip irrigation system starter kit and composting tools.

“The farmers were very appreciative of the training and the tools they were given,” said an ADT interpreter, who does not want his name used.

The first course, composting, taught the benefits of recycling organic materials to create a fertilizer that increases the soil nutrient levels, in turn improving crops. Additionally, the compost acts as a soil conditioner and as a natural pesticide, said Umbarger.

Following the composting course the team taught the benefits of the chapin bucket drip irrigation system. It uses a water storage bucket or barrel and a series to tubes with small slats to slowly water rows of crops. This system is particularly good for vegetable and flower gardens.

“I have seen the chapin bucket drip irrigation system set up in other areas of Khost province, and we hope to bring that capability to Sabari farmers,” said Umbarger.

Overall, the training was well attended, thanks in part to the support of the district governor, said 1st Lt. David Tressler, from Chicago, Ill., Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team Sabari civil affairs officer.

“The governor recorded a radio announcement, which got the word out and brought additional farmers to the district center,” Tressler said.

With the overwhelming success of the training the ADT plans on having more courses at the district center.

“Some things locals have voiced to us while on patrol, such as grain storage and animal husbandry have already been put in the works and we hope to bring them to Sabari in the near future” said Umbarger.




Farmers from Sabari district attend a chapin bucket irrigation system class held at the district center, June 1. This system of irrigation is easily set up and uses materials that can be found in the local bazaar. The event was facilitated by the 2nd Battalion 19th Infantry Agribusiness Development Team. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


U.S. Army Spc. Andrae Camp, from Fort Wayne, Ind., and Sergeant 1st Class Eric Umbarger, from Dana, Ind., 2nd Battalion 19th Infantry Agribusiness Development Team, assemble chapin bucket irrigation system starter kits for the farmers that attended the course, June 1. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


Farmers from the Sabari district set up a chapin bucket irrigation system during the hands on portion of the class, June 1. The irrigation process uses rubber tubing with small opening every four inches to water crops. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


A farmer from Sabari district listens to Ralph, 2nd Battalion 19th Infantry Agribusiness Development Team interpreter, conduct a class on chapin bucket drip irrigation systems, June 1. This type of irrigation is suitable for vegetable gardens and other types of crops and can keep them watered for a few days depending on the size of the bucket used. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)


Young farmers from Sabari district juggle tools on their shoulders after receiving compost training at the district center, June 2. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julianne M. Showalter, Khost PRT Public Affairs Office)