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Based In Trust

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston
  • Airman Magazine
Fort Meade, MD --  

 

Growing trust between the local community and U.S. service members, and fostering good relationships with the government in the area surrounding a new base increases the chance of local support for Airmen deployed there in an effort to bring stability to the region.




The U.S. Army’s 411th Civil Affairs Battalion are experts in nurturing relationships in host countries. Partnering with local community groups and base groups, civil affairs specialists have donated food, supplies, built classrooms and built solar powered wells in the communities surrounding Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger. They also trained technicians on how to maintain the solar panels. 
 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Johnson, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain assistant, takes a selfie with Nigerien children at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. Johnson assisted the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight with constructing a classroom for the village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Johnson, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain assistant, takes a selfie with Nigerien children at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. Johnson assisted the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight with constructing a classroom for the village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
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A Nigerien boy drinks water from a well outside of Agadez, Niger. The well was recently converted to a solar powered well with the help of Air Base 201. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

A Nigerien boy drinks water from a well outside of Agadez, Niger. The well was recently converted to a solar powered well with the help of Air Base 201. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelly Warren, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight structural craftsman, cuts a sheet of tin roofing at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil engineer Airmen installed the tin roof on a classroom they built for the local Nigeriens the week before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelly Warren, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight structural craftsman, cuts a sheet of tin roofing at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil engineer Airmen installed the tin roof on a classroom they built for the local Nigeriens the week before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
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Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The Airmen built the entire classroom using leftover wood from Air Base 201 and topped it off with locally purchased tin for the roof. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The Airmen built the entire classroom using leftover wood from Air Base 201 and topped it off with locally purchased tin for the roof. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
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Nigerien children gather around for a photo at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight built a new classroom for the village so they can learn in a more stable structure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

Nigerien children gather around for a photo at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight built a new classroom for the village so they can learn in a more stable structure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cana Garrison, Civil Affairs Team 204, takes a selfie with Nigerien children at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil affairs team reaches out to the local community on a weekly basis to strengthen the relationship between the Nigeriens and the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cana Garrison, Civil Affairs Team 204, takes a selfie with Nigerien children at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil affairs team reaches out to the local community on a weekly basis to strengthen the relationship between the Nigeriens and the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelly Warren, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight structural craftsman, paints a bull head on the roof of a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil engineers built the classroom from scratch and the bull is a symbol of the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or Prime BEEF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelly Warren, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight structural craftsman, paints a bull head on the roof of a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil engineers built the classroom from scratch and the bull is a symbol of the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or Prime BEEF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
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U.S. Air Force Maj. Hoang Nguyen, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cana Garrison, Civil Affairs Team 204, interact with Nigerien children at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil affairs team helps connect the local community with the military community, which strengthens their partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Air Force Maj. Hoang Nguyen, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cana Garrison, Civil Affairs Team 204, interact with Nigerien children at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The civil affairs team helps connect the local community with the military community, which strengthens their partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
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Nigeriens usually have to travel miles to the nearest well and spend hours hand pumping water. with the help of Civil Affairs from Air Base 201. Local wells are being converted to Solar powered wells. cutting the time to get water in half. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

Nigeriens usually have to travel miles to the nearest well and spend hours hand pumping water. with the help of Civil Affairs from Air Base 201. Local wells are being converted to Solar powered wells. cutting the time to get water in half. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
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Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. Niger has one of the fastest growing population, resulting in not enough classrooms to teach the countries children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. Niger has one of the fastest growing population, resulting in not enough classrooms to teach the countries children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
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U.S. Airmen and Soldiers from Air Base 201 remove donated supplies for local Nigeriens at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. leave the base weekly to build partnerships with their host nation and its citizens.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston) (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Airmen and Soldiers from Air Base 201 remove donated supplies for local Nigeriens at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. leave the base weekly to build partnerships with their host nation and its citizens.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston) (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
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Nigerien women pump water into containers at the village well. The well is currently being converted into a solar powered well, to eliminate the need to hand pump water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

Nigerien women pump water into containers at the village well. The well is currently being converted into a solar powered well, to eliminate the need to hand pump water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships
Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The Airmen built the classroom using leftover construction materials from Air Base 201 and locally purchased tin for the roof.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The Airmen built the classroom using leftover construction materials from Air Base 201 and locally purchased tin for the roof.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships
U.S. Airmen and Soldiers from Air Base 201 pose for a photo in front of a classroom with Nigeriens at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight built the classroom for the village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Airmen and Soldiers from Air Base 201 pose for a photo in front of a classroom with Nigeriens at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight built the classroom for the village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships
Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The Airmen built the classroom using leftover construction materials from Air Base 201 and locally purchased tin for the roof.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

Airmen assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight install tin roofing on a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The Airmen built the classroom using leftover construction materials from Air Base 201 and locally purchased tin for the roof.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships
Wooden sticks and thatched roofing make up a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight built the locals a new classroom made from stronger material and a tin roof to withstand the harsh conditions in Agadez. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Nurturing relationships

Wooden sticks and thatched roofing make up a classroom at a village in Agadez, Niger, June 27, 2019. The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron civil engineer flight built the locals a new classroom made from stronger material and a tin roof to withstand the harsh conditions in Agadez. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships
Nigeriens usually have to travel miles to the nearest well and spend hours hand pumping water. with the help of Civil Affairs from Air Base 201. Local wells are being converted to Solar powered wells. cutting the time to get water in half. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

Nigeriens usually have to travel miles to the nearest well and spend hours hand pumping water. with the help of Civil Affairs from Air Base 201. Local wells are being converted to Solar powered wells. cutting the time to get water in half. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships
U.S. Army Staff Sgt Cana Garrison, with the 411 Civil Affairs Battalion, stationed at Air Base 201, helps a local Nigerien attach water jugs filled by a solar powered well to their donkey to transport back to their home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)

Nurturing relationships

U.S. Army Staff Sgt Cana Garrison, with the 411 Civil Affairs Battalion, stationed at Air Base 201, helps a local Nigerien attach water jugs filled by a solar powered well to their donkey to transport back to their home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Perry Aston)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 0 images | Nurturing relationships




 
 
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