By Jolene FarleyCharles Erickson is home safe and sound in the United States after serving his country in Afghanistan. Erickson is a member of the Army Reserve 407th Civil Affairs Battalion headquartered in Arden Hills. He was called up in May. Erickson left his job as a financial analyst for Hutchinson Technology, his home in Waconia, and most important, his wife, Naomi, in the United States.Erickson, son of Wendell and Kathryn Erickson, Hills, was stationed at Gardez, Afghanistan, about 70 miles south of the country’s capital, Kabul. His group of about 100 soldiers spent a month at Fort Bragg, N.C., refreshing their weapons skills and rehearsing handling threatening situations in urban areas before shipping out. The soldiers were told immediately that they were to be stationed in Afghanistan, although Erickson said the group thought their orders might change.First impressionsErickson’s first impressions of Afghanistan were mixed."I guess it was very different," he said. "You see men with beards wearing turbans and women walking around in burkas (shrouds) … things you would actually expect to see there. But it was very unusual to actually be there and see it for yourself.""The other thing that struck me right away was how friendly the people were. Little children would wave at you, people would yell, ‘thank you.’ It was very impressive the kind of support we seemed to get there…"A job to do…Erickson was the leader of a civil affairs team of five members."We dealt with everything having to do with the Afghan population including supporting the combat operations, meeting with government officials and coordinating some of the reconstruction projects," he said.Erickson’s group was involved in eight school reconstruction projects."We also helped coordinate security for the election delegates to their constitutional convention."The comforts of home…Erickson brought with him personal hygiene basics to make his life more bearable. He packed ample amounts of shaving cream, razor blades, soap and baby wipes.What he didn’t bring that he later found he needed, he asked his family to send. Erickson and his men were allowed showers three times a week when they were at base. They were sometimes away from the base, however, for a few days at a time. We’re winningErickson said he believes the United States is winning the war on terror. He also believes that the United States’ role in the region is far from over."I think we’re getting the Afghan people involved in fighting the war on terrorism, but I think we are going to have a presence there for a few more years," he said."In spite of what you see on TV news, we are winning the war … by gaining the support of the people."War-torn countryAfghanistan was involved in a war against the Soviet Union in the 1980’s that left much of the country in ruins. "As a result of that war there were armed guerilla leaders that started fighting each other after the Russians pulled out," he said. In an effort to restore peace, the people allowed the Taliban to seize power in part of the country."It seemed to the people of Afghanistan that the Taliban could at least bring order to the country."As the Taliban became more powerful, the people were surprised by how harsh its rule became.After the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, some of the guerilla leaders helped the United States overthrow the Taliban.Some of these leaders have now disarmed, but others continue to be a problem in the region, according to Erickson.Local supportErickson was stationed in a "hotter" area in terms of enemy activity. "I find that the vast majority of people supported out presence," he said.The soldiers that Erickson has talked to that were stationed in Iraq tell the same story. "If 100 people wave at you and say ‘thank you,’ but one person shoots at you, it’s that person that shoots at you that is making the news," he said.Back to the war zoneErickson doesn’t think he’s back in the United States permanently."I think it’s likely they’ll send us back, and in the next couple of years," he said. Erickson supports President Bush’s policy in the region. "I think he’s doing a good job conducting the war," he said.Making the best of it"In spite of being away from home and being in a dangerous place, it was a lot of fun going over there and getting to meet the Afghan people," he said."I certainly had times when I realized we were in danger, but I guess when you have that, you act accordingly and take precautions when needed."
