-
Report From Afghanistan
-
Documentary: Afghanistan's Other War
December 15, 6:00pm and December 18, 4:00pm
In this 30-minute documentary VPR's Steve Zind takes us on patrols with the Vermont Guard and to police training sessions in Afghanistan to learn how soldiers carried out their complex mission and how they view the prospects for success.
-
VT Guard Profile: Specialist Corinne Vintinner
November 11, 5:30pm
Today we mark Veteran's Day with a profile of one of the Vermont Guard Soldiers preparing to return home from Afghanistan, Specialist Corinne Vintinner.
-
Soldier's Duty Keeps Him On Base In Afghanistan
November 8, 12:50pm
Captain David Fabricius of North Rupert is stationed at Camp Phoenix in Kabul. He spends all his time on base overseeing a staff of seven working on administrative duties.
-
Soldier's Father An Inspiration For Joining Military
October 20, 12:50pm
Lieutenant Laura Cook of Castleton talks with VPR's Steve Zind in about her reason for joining the military and the challenges of communicating with family and loved ones during her deployment in Afghanistan.
-
VPR's Steve Zind On Reporting From Afghanistan
October 13, 12:44pm
VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with reporter Steve Zind about what he learned while traveling and living with Vermont soldiers in several parts of Afghanistan.
-
Tracking The Time Left In Afghanistan
October 6, 12:50pm
It's no secret that soldiers count the days until the end of their deployment. But one Vermont company has a more formal way of keeping track of the time left in Afghanistan.
-
Afghanistan Postcard: Sergeant Albert Fry
October 1, 12:50pm
VPR's Steve Zind talks with Sergeant Albert Fry, a Vermont officer who handles office supplies for the Vermont National Guard in Afghanistan.
-
Soldiers Cautiously Optimistic About Afghanistan’s Future
September 30, 7:50am and 5:30pm
In Afghanistan, many Vermont Guard soldiers are cautiously optimistic that a new counter insurgency strategy and better trained Afghan security forces will pave the way for the eventual departure of combat troops.
-
Afghanistan Postcard: Specialist Alexander Kelly
September 29, 12:50pm
VPR's Steve Zind gets a tour of the medical lab at Camp Phoenix in Kabul from Specialist Alexander Kelly
-
Working Around An Active Insurgency
September 28, 12:50pm and 5:50pm
VPR's Steve Zind talks with VT Guard 1st Sgt. Eric Duncan of Northfield, an officer at a joint combat outpost in Paktya province in Afghanistan, about working with civilians in the midst of an active insurgency.
-
Guard Tries To Gain Upper Hand In Paktya
September 28, 7:50am
In Paktya province, there are still areas where the insurgency is strong and the Vermont Guard is trying to gain the upper hand.
-
Postcard From Afghanistan
September 27, 12:50pm and 7:50pm
Vermont Army Guard Sergeant Anita Austin of St. Albans is among those spending her deployment at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan. She explains her job overseeing ammunition for 11 military bases around Kabul.
-
Soldiers Practice Medicine At Camp Phoenix, Kabul
September 24, 12:50pm and 7:50pm
Vermont soldiers at one camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, provide medical care for fellow soldiers at a Troop Medical Clinic. As VPR's Steve Zind reports, it's basically a combination doctor's office and emergency room.
-
Vermont Guard Works To Disarm IEDs
September 23, 7:34am and 5:50pm
For those serving in Paktya Province on the Pakistan border, improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, are a fact of life.
-
Voices From Afghanistan: Sgt. First Class Julie Northrup
September 22, 12:50pm
VPR's Steve Zind is traveling with Vermont Guard soldiers in Afghanistan, bringing us their voices. Today we hear from Sgt. First Class Julie Northrup at Camp Phoenix in Kabul.
-
VT Soldiers Help Rebuild Afghan Police Force
September 21, 12:45pm
An important part of the U.S. government plan to withdraw forces from Afghanistan depends on the Afghan National Police, or ANP. VPR's Steve Zind talked with Vermont soldiers that are part of the rebuilding team.
-
Vermonters Mentor Afghan Police
September 21, 7:34am and 5:30pm
This year, international forces recommitted themselves to building a well-run Afghan police force - and Vermonters are part of that effort.
-
Cooking For Soldiers In Afghanistan
September 20, 12:44pm
VPR's Steve Zind talks with Sergeant Cabral to find out about the challenges and rewards of being an army cook in Afghanistan.
-
Afghan Women Face Challenges
September 20, 7:34am
Among the jobs being done by the Vermont Guard in Afghanistan is police training. More specifically, male police training.
-
Soldiers Secure Afghan Polling Places
September 17, 7:34am and 5:30pm
If all goes well, Vermont Guard members who provide support to Afghanistan's national police will have little to do tomorrow when Afghans go to the polls for parliamentary elections. But members of Bravo Troop 1st Squadron 172nd Cavalry out of Bennington have been busy in the days leading up to the elections.
-
Vermont Guard Goes On Night Patrol With Afghan National Police
September 15, 7:50am
Among the jobs the Vermont National Guard is responsible for during a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan is training the country's police force.
-
Moving Personnel In Kabul A Production For Vermont Soldiers
September 13, 7:34am
Even in the relative safety of Kabul, nothing is taken for granted when it comes to security in Afghanistan.
-
Report from Afghanistan: 9/11 Observed
September 11, 9:35am
In his first Report from Afghanistan, VPR's Steve Zind says the controversy surrounding the burning of the Muslim holy book has been on the minds of Vermont National Guard soldiers, and it's altered their routines.
-
-
Blog: Reporter's Journal
Steve provides additional comments, observations, and photos in this online Reporter's Journal. This is in addition to his on-air broadcast "Reports From Afghanistan (above)." Click here to view the entire Blog " Reporter's Journal by Steve Zind". Entries from the Journal are displayed in reverse chronological order.
We're having a little trouble at the moment loading these stories. Please try again later.
... Continue reading at the VPR In Afghanistan 2010 Blog -
A Soldier's Perspective, by Larry Doane
Vermont National Guard Captain and VPR Commentator Larry Doane provides the soldier's perspective from Afghanistan.
-
The Enemy
September 10, 7:55am
In the final entry of his audio journal from a soldier's perspective, Vermont National Guard Capt. Larry Doane describes looking his enemy in the eye.
-
Marriage Celebration
September 9, 7:55am
Captain Larry Doane, a VPR commentator, looks at the Guard deployment from a soldier's perspective. In today's entry, he describes joining a celebration for an Afghan marriage.
-
On Patrol
September 8, 7:55am
Commentator Larry Doane, a captain in the Vermont National Guard who is on deployment in Afghanistan, describes his soldiers' daily patrols.
-
Making Contact
September 7, 7:55am
VPR commentator Larry Doane, who is a captain in the Vermont National Guard, reflects on the nature of his duties in Afghanistan.
-
-
VPR News: Afghanistan
Coverage of Afghanistan from VPR News. For additional coverage, visit NPR: Afghanistan at NPR.org.
-
State of the Re:Union: Veterans Coming Home
December 3, 4:00pm
State of the Re:Union explores the challenges veterans face as they return home from war.
-
The State Of The State’s Downtowns
April 26, 12:00pm and 7:00pm
We look at what tools are at the disposal of Vermont's downtowns and village centers and the challenges they're facing. Also, we get some insight into the controversy over Greg Mortenson's work in Afghanistan. Plus, we hear about Poultney's audio walking and driving tours.
-
Body Of U.S. Marine Is Back Home In Vermont
March 17, 5:50pm and March 18, 6:06am
A motorcade carried the body of Cpl. Ian Muller, of North Danville, from the Burlington International Airport to St. Johnsbury, along roads lined with people paying their respects. The 22 year old was killed in combat last week in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.
-
Progressives Oppose Human Service Cuts
February 25, 12:00pm and 7:00pm
There are 180 members of the Vermont Legislature, and only 7 of them represent the Progressive Party. But despite their small caucus, the Progressives want to make an impact on how the state closes the $176 million budget deficit.
-
National Guard Troops Getting Help Readjusting To Civilian Life
December 7, 5:50pm and December 8, 6:34am
Many of the 1,500 Vermont Guard soldiers who were deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year are returning to Vermont this week. Adjutant General Michael Dubie says they're already receiving support to readjust to civilian life.
-
Gen. Dubie Reflects On Deployment's End
December 7, 12:00pm and 7:00pm
A lengthy, large-scale deployment of Vermont National Guard troops is nearing its conclusion, and Adjutant General Michael Dubie discusses the mission and the aftermath of the soldiers' service in Afghanistan.
-
Vermont Commander Reports 'Huge Progress' In Afghanistan
November 10, 5:04pm and November 11, 6:34am
The commander of the Vermont Guard in Afghanistan says there's much progress to report as his soldiers prepare to end their year-long deployment.
-
Report from Afghanistan: 9/11 Observed
September 11, 9:35am
In his first Report from Afghanistan, VPR's Steve Zind says the controversy surrounding the burning of the Muslim holy book has been on the minds of Vermont National Guard soldiers, and it's altered their routines.
-
Welch Sees Need For New Policy In Afghanistan
September 7, 5:50pm and September 8, 6:34am
Congressman Peter Welch says his recent trip to Afghanistan has reinforced his view that the current policies of the Obama Administration can't be successful and that a new strategy is needed.
-
Vermont Soldier Is Laid To Rest
September 1, 5:50pm
Sergeant Tristan Southworth was laid to rest Wednesday in Hardwick, near his hometown of Walden. Southworth died in a firefight in Afghanistan last week alongside another Vermont Guard member, Sergeant Steven DeLuzio.
-
Hardwick Mourns Loss Of Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
August 26, 7:34am
Teachers at Hazen Union High School in Hardwick are preparing to help returning students cope with the death of Tristan Southworth, a popular 2007 graduate who was killed during a firefight in Afghanistan over the weekend.
-
Two VT Guard Soldiers Die In Gunbattle In Afghanistan
August 24, 5:16pm and August 25, 6:34am
Sgt. Tristan Southworth, 21, and Sgt. Steven Deluzio, 25, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, were killed Sunday during a two-hour gunbattle after their unit was attacked by insurgents in an area just west of the border with Pakistan.
-
Vermont Soldier Is Laid To Rest
July 19, 7:35am
This weekend, friends and family remembered Specialist Ryan J. Grady for his devotion to his family and to his country.
-
Summer Camp Hosts Guard Families
July 1, 12:44pm
Ohana Camp in Fairlee is setting aside time exclusively for families of Vermont Guard soldiers serving in Afghanistan. VPR's Steve Zind spoke with one wife at camp with two children.
-
Col. Will Roy On The Guard's Afghanistan Mission
April 20, 1:00pm
VPR's Jane Lindholm speaks with Colonel Will Roy of Jericho, commander of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan about some of the challenges for the Guard's current mission.
-
Fallen Soldier's Parents Attend Funerals, Deployments
January 25, 7:34am and 5:30pm
As National Guard soldiers deployed for service in Afghanistan in recent weeks, they've received a send off from hundreds of well wishers. Among them are the parents of soldiers killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
-
VT Edition: Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie On Afghanistan
January 22, 1:00pm
VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Adjutant General Michael Dubie about the scope of the Afghanistan deployment as it now stands.
-
Vermont Guard Faces Shifting Role In Afghanistan
January 5, 5:50pm
The head of the Vermont National Guard says Vermont soldiers face a difficult, possibly more dangerous, assignment in Afghanistan. Adjutant General Michael Dubie says the task has shifted from primarily training Afghan troops, to more of a combat mission.
-
Guardsman Sees Changes With 2nd Deployment
December 28, 7:30am
In 2004 VPR news spoke with Chris Day, a Vermont Army National Guardsman leaving for active duty in Kuwait. Five years later, Day - who teaches history at Brattleboro Area Middle School - is about to deploy again, this time to Afghanistan.
-
Guard Brigadier General Headed To Afghanistan
December 9, 7:34am
The Vermont National Guard's 2nd in command will be among the 1500 guard soldiers headed to Afghanistan in the New Year. Brigadier General Jonathan Farnham will be leading a new organization monitoring the training of Afghan security forces.
-
Guard Soldiers Depart For Training
December 7, 7:34am
300 Vermont National Guard soldiers left for training in Indiana over the weekend. For them and the twelve hundred army guard members who'll follow, it's the final training stop before they deploy to Afghanistan early next year.
-
VT Edition: Patrick Leahy On Troop Deployment
December 4, 2:06pm
VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Senator Patrick Leahy about his reaction to President Obama's request for 30,000 additional troops for Afghanistan.
-
Afghanistan Plan Draws Concern From Vt. Delegation
December 2, 5:50pm
All 3 members of Vermont's Congressional delegation say they have serious reservations about President Obama's plan to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.
-
President Obama Addresses The Nation On Afghanistan
December 1, 8:00pm
VPR broadcast live President Obama's address to the nation on Tuesday December 1 at 8. He announced his plan for the future of American forces in Afghanistan.
-
VT Edition: Sarah Chayes
November 16, 1:00pm
Sarah Chayes speaks with VPR's Jane Lindholm about her experiences in Afghanistan and her work with a cooperative that makes skin care products from local crops.
-
VT Edition: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
November 9, 12:45pm and 7:45pm
VPR's Steve Zind talks with Zoya, author of the book Zoya's Story: An Afghan Woman's Struggle for Freedom, about working with the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan.
-
VT Edition: Pam Blair's Sons Deploy to Afghanistan
November 2, 12:45pm and 7:45pm
Pam Blair's two sons are in the Vermont National Guard and both left last week on a deployment that will take them to Afghanistan. VPR's Steve Zind spoke with her last week about what she's feeling as her sons prepared to leave.
-
Guard Soldiers Headed To Afghanistan Get Sendoff
October 30, 5:50pm
The largest deployment of the Vermont National Guard in the past 60 years got underway this week.
-
Norwich Class Prepares Cadets For Deployment
October 29, 5:50pm
A number of Norwich University's Corps of Cadets belong to the Vermont National Guard - and they're preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. For some, part of that preparation has included taking a class to help them better deal with the changes they're about to experience.
-
Mares: Options in Afghanistan
October 20, 5:55pm
Like most of us, commentator Bill Mares doesn’t have a solution for the Afghanistan quagmire. Indeed, with the help of two long-time observers on the situation, he has more questions.
-
Listen to the VPR News Documentary "Afghanistan's Other War"
Wednesday, December 15 at 6PM and Saturday December 18 on VPR
-
Supported by
-
Photos
Marking of the Line Ceremony at Camp Phoenix
Staff Sgt Constance Quinton of Milton at Camp Phoenix
Spc Leeann Many of Highgate at Camp Phoenix
Sgt 1st Class James Kurfis of Jeffersonville at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Sgt 1st Class Alan King of Georgia, VT at Camp Phoenix
An Afghan Policeman
1st Sgt John Adams from Essex at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Afghanistan from the air
1st Lt Dustin Sigler from Castleton at Camp Phoenix
Marking of the Line Ceremony at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Sgt Tyler Daniels of the Vermont Guard at Camp Phoenix
Spc Mariah Stone of Hartford at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Many bases have small shops like this run by local Afghans
Captain Jacob Roy of Bristol at Forward Operating Base Gardez
Sgt. Kellen Desautels of Burlington
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Moran of Chelsea at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Lt. Laura Cook of Castleton
1st Sgt. Jim Stimpson of Lyndonville at Forward Operating Base Gardez
Sgt Lance Schumann at the Troop Medical Clinic in Kabul
Lt Joe Phelan of Burlington coordinates medical evacuations at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Staff Sgt Heather Bordonaro at Camp Phoenix
On Chicken Street
A fruit vendor on Chicken Street
In the carpet bazaar on Chicken Street in Kabul
A Kabul bakery
Men on Flower Street
On Flower Street
Selling bread on Chicken Street
1st Sgt Eric Duncan at Combat Outpost Raman Kheil
Specialist Alexander Kelly in the lab at the Troop Medical Center at Camp Phoenix
Dinnertime at Raman Kheil
Lt. Daniel Silver of Dover, NH at Combat Outpost Raman Kheil
Inside Raman Kheil
Command Center at Raman Kheil
AFCOP Raman Kheil
MREs - Meals Ready to Eat
Sgt. David Ainsworth of Brattleboro and Hinsdale, NH at Raman Kheil
Sgt. Hawkins of E. Montpelier at Raman Kheil
Staff Sgt. Steve Kaplowitz of Burlington serves dinner at Combat Outpost Raman Kheil
Spicy Penne Pasta MRE
VPR's Steve Zind at the office
Staff Sgt. John Kezer of Graniteville at Combat Outpost Raman Kheil
Spc. Corey Rounds of Westminster at Combat Outpost Raman Kheil
Sgt. Josh Nadeau of Brattleboro and Sgt. David Morey of Westminster at Raman Kheil
Sgt. David Morey of Westminster keeps a daily journal at Raman Kheil
Raman Kheil- A work in progress
With Sgt. Scott Hawkins of E. Montpelier at Raman Kheil
Vermont Guard soldiers line up for dinner at Raman Kheil
Sgt 1st Class Mac Broich of St Albans in Paktya Province
Reporter Steve Zind (far right) with Afghan police commander Sadiq (center) in Kabul
Spc Adam Marsalkowski of Panton in Kabul
A group of Kabul police
Vermont Guard police mentors (L-R) Lt Richard Volp, Sgt Joshua Smith and Lt Louis Santillo
Sergeant First Class Bryn Reynolds of Saratoga, NY (L) with a translator at a provincial police station
Sgt Donald Buck of W Charleston burning trash at Combat Outpost Red Hill
Sgt Thomas Burke of Woodford (L) and Sgt Jason Eaton of Fair Haven grilling steaks at Combat Outpost Red Hill
Reporter Steve Zind (5th from left) at large modern school where Afghans will vote
The desks were cleared from this classroom to make room for voting
At one of the polling places
Another of the polling places seemed run down We were told only women would vote here
One of the polling places is a girls primary school
Sgt. John Bell of Pittsfield
Sgt Allen Lunna of Bethel
Old Soviet Tank at Combat Outpost Red Hill
Dawn at Red Hill
Bravo Troop 1st Squadron 172nd Cavalry Based in Bennington
Camp Red Hill Day One
An Afghan "barn raising" - building Combat Outpost Red Hill
Sgt Seamus Fennessy of Brooklyn NY
Soldiers Quarters at Combat Outpost Red Hill
Sgt First Class Julie Northrup at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Sgt Anita Austin handles ammunition at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Spc Nick Tarr of St Albans
Combat Outpost Red Hill has breathtaking mountain views
Taking a break from setting up Combat Outpost Red Hill
Fields of cultivated marijuana are a common sight in Parwan Province and other parts of Afghanistan
Spc. Glenn Barnes of Peabody MA fuels the generator at Combat Outpost Red Hill
Spc. Josh Lacasse of Pownall L and Spc. Aaron Buell of Hoosick Falls NY
Spc Derek Perreault of Hampton
On Charikar's streets
Jamil - a translator for the Vermont soldiers in Charikar
Entrance to the police station in downtown Charikar
Corporal Thomas Kleefisch of Windsor in Charikar
Buying bread in Charikar
Gun truck in Charikar. There is no alcohol on base. Home is where the beer is.
Charikar is a long way from home
Captain Abdul Qadersafy commands the post gate in Charikar and raises the flag
Captain Abdul Qadersafy raises the Afghan flag every morning at the joint U.S./Afghan post in Charikar
Body armor and weapons hang outside the soldiers' quarters in Charikar
Specialist Jeremiah Bush of Swanton (standing) and Sgt Michael Schrader of Waitsfield (drumming) playing Guitar Hero in Charikar
On night patrol in Charikar
Formal and leisure wear - Charikar style
Soldiers on patrol in Charikar have irregular hours - anytime can be mealtime
On the streets of Charikar
Vermont soldiers patrol at all hours at Charikar
Vermont Guard Sgt Nicole Seitz in Charikar
The football video game Madden 11 is very popular at the Charikar post
Lt Justin Kokernak of Northfield talks to an Afghan police officer (R) in Charikar. Translator Jamil is on the left
Soldiers on patrol in Charikar have irregular hours - anytime can be mealtime
At Charikar post: Staying in touch with family and friends
Specialist Jayme Belval of Moretown in Charikar
Sgt. John Hernandez of Williston
Sgt Edward 'Cookie' Cabral of Bennington makes the meals at Charikar
Sgt Michael Schrader of Northfield talks to children in Charikar
Pfc Martin Ingram of Essex in Charikar
Sergeant Michael Cram of Milton briefs the soldiers before a night patrol in Charikar
2AM in the narrow alleys of Charikar
Vermont Guard members prepare for their daily brigade support mission delivering personell and equipment to bases around Kabul
Destroyed Royal Palace in Kabul
Akbari the translator for Vermont soldiers in Kabul
Kabul through the Humvee window
Welcome to Kabul
The Vermonters' Humvees draw stares on Kabul's streets
Kabul street scene
Inside the Humvee
Kabul Street Scene
Guardsmen on a Kabul corner
A Rhino Bus
Gunner Glenn Durgin of he brigade support unit in Kabul
Sergeant Kevin Clark and driver Ashley Progin of the brigade support unit in Kabul
One of the local boys helping with the sandbags at a police station in the Hindu Kush
Sgt. John Behan of Bennington watches as sandbags are piled on the roof of a police station in the Hindu Kush
The Hindu Kush Mountains
Local workers unload sandbags at the police station
Candidate posters with symbols
A storm in the Hindu Kush
After The Storm
Vermont Guard soldiers in the brigade support unit prepare to get underway at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
2nd Lt Tony Consentino of Amsterdam, NY (L) and Sgt 1st Class Kevin Mulcahey from Rutland in the Hindu Kush mts.
Vermont's brigade suppport unit makes a stop at a Kabul base
The Vermont brigade support team preparing to get underway at Camp Phoenix in Kabul
Driver Ashley Progin of the Vermont brigade support unit at Camp Phoenix
Buying bread in Kabul
-
About Steve
Photo by George Thomas -
VPR's Steve Zind will spend three weeks in Afghanistan, covering some of the 1,500 members of the Vermont National Guard who are deployed there. He'll file "Reports From Afghanistan" for broadcast on VPR, and he'll post additional comments and photos in his Reporter's Journal. If you have story suggestions for Steve, or questions you'd like the Guard to answer about their mission, or if you have friends or family serving in Afghanistan, email Steve at ReportFromAfghanistan@gmail.com.
-
Related Links & References
