Iowa Soldiers Build Trust with Afghan Soldiers and People

During the war in Afghanistan, U.S. troops initially had little faith in the Afghan National Army (ANA). U.S. Troops soon found out that they were able to build relationships with this important ally.

Amidst the daily fight for command and control, a simultaneous battle was waged for Afghan self-sufficiency.  Initially, U.S. forces had little faith in the Afghan National Army.  But, as the Iowa soldiers began to place their faith in their local counterparts, they discovered many of their preconceptions were unfounded. 

Sgt. J. Winkowski: “When we first got in the country we could immediately tell that there was this friction between the Afghan National Army Soldiers and U.S. Soldiers and we really got that from the people we replaced.  They said don't trust the ANA…We started to say hey, we will put that blind trust in them and just see what happens - just see where it takes us.  And what ended up happening was that trust began reciprocating back to us in the form of they were on time, they had the right stuff, and it went from being on time to they were early, they were waiting on us.”

Several months into the deployment, Afghani citizens were asked for their impressions of U.S. troops.   And, they too noted a change in some of their perceptions of Americans.  

Gen. Craig Bargfrede: “...And their reply was is ‘We thought Americans were dishonest. We thought you liars and cheaters we thought you came to our country to rob our country of various things. After working with you we have totally changed our opinion you are honest, hardworking people, you say what you mean and you follow through on promises.’”