Afghan MoD Farewell

I gave Colonel Popal a certificate of appreciation in hopes of encouraging him to follow through with our objectives after I leave. Col Popal speaks English quite well and has the energy to accomplish things at MoD Legal.

The three musketeers who will be leaving our mentor jobs at MoD Legal over the next 3-4 weeks. MGen Nooristani and BGen Karim gave us traditional Afghan garb for our farewell gifts. This Marine Major and Air Force TSgt have done an outstanding job in helping our Afghan partners with Rule of Law.

This our Office of Staff Judge Advocate leadership with MGen Nooristani, BGen Tafun, Judge Rahim, Col Popal, an AFPAK Hand AF Major, and the three departing ANA Legal Development team.

MGen Nooristani, BGen Karim (TJAG), Judge Rahim with me in "Karzai" coat, pakola, and small.

As my parting gift to MGen Nooristani, I gave him a Dale Gallon print of "The Day is Ours." It is the high-water mark of the Confederacy of Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg on 3 June 1863. MGen Nooristani, though Chief of MoD Legal, was trained as an artilleryman. The print has cannon leveled at the charging infantry and firing canister.

Judge BGen Khwuari

We met with the Chief Judge of the Afghan Military Court of Appeals, Brigadier General Khwuari last week. His office was dust free and organized. The Chief Judge spoke of the integrity of the court and vouched for the other judges. It is persons such as Judge Khwuari that give me hope for Afghanistan.

Judge Khwuari's court room is in this hallway. The table fills the space with just enough room for the appelate and defense counsel's chairs. The Judge said he will have a court room in the new MoD building.

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MoD Construction

Foundation for the new Ministry of Defense (MoD) building in Kabul, Afghanistan. The construction is adjacent to the existing MoD building and will be major improvement for the Afghan National Army (ANA). The modern facility should allow the ANA to enter the 21st century.

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New MoD Design

This is the architect's design for the new Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) building in Kabul. It was planned to be completed in 2012, but they have had to fire two previous contractors for incompetence and breach of contract. The third contractor is making progress, but they are a year behind schedule. Everything is Afghanistan requires much patience and understanding.

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U.S. Advisor, Parliamentary Member Anjeer Ramazan, and Gen Nooristani

We spent nearly three hours with Gen Nooristani. Gen Nooristani is the head of the Afghan National Army Legal Department. It was a very enlightening cross cultural exchange. It is great being foreign.