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Key Leaders From U.S. State Department Attend Training At Muscatatuck

Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew is leading a delegation to the U.S. government civilian-military training for Afghanistan, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in south-central Indiana, Thursday, November 19th.

Civilian assistance is a critical component of President Obama's overall strategy for Afghanistan, especially as we open a new chapter in our relationship with today's presidential inauguration.

U.S. civilians, working in partnership with the Afghan government and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the U.S. military and other international organizations are advancing our counterinsurgency efforts every day, in districts and provinces. They are working to improving Afghan governance (including justice capacity building), reconstruction, agriculture, and provision of basic services (health and education).

Since January, we have committed to almost tripling the number of civilians on the ground, from 320 in January 2009 to almost 1000 in early 2010. The one-week civ-mil course at CA-MCCO is the result of the State Department's collaboration with DOD to leverage existing civilian-military training programs and tailor them to meet the increased need for civilian training. The training, which is attended by personnel from Department of State, USAID, and Department of Agriculture as well as several other agencies, focuses on direct partnership with provincial and local Afghan authorities. Part of the agenda for the Deputy Secretary's visit includes role playing vignettes focused on local economic issues with local tribal leaders in a village setting, a town hall meeting with students and trainers and a briefing by CA-MCCO staff.

Media representatives are invited to attend. Sequence of events for the Media/Distinguished Visitors day is as follows:

10:40 Observe Key Leader Engagement: Provincial Governor, tribal leaders and provincial officials regarding land dispute
11:30 Observe meeting with Director of Women's Affairs, clinic visit and health officials, meeting with educational officials

12:00 Lunch and student interviews

1:00 Deputy Lew and key leaders Lead Town Hall Meeting with Afghanistan Bound Trainees at Kindness Hall

2:00 Vignettes completed

Key leader and civilian student interviews are incorporated into the day's events Media representatives must arrive at MUTC no later than 10 a.m. Media outlets wanting to attend the visit must contact 1st Lt. Jessica Halladay, Camp Atterbury Media Relations Officer, at 317-694-7746 or by e-mail at jessica.a.halladay@us.army.mil. Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE