LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Some Nebraska National Guard members are
getting ready for an agriculture mission to Afghanistan.
The Lincoln Journal Star says 57 members of the Nebraska Air and
Army National Guard and one Army Reservist and veterinarian from
Oklahoma are leaving for training this week and ultimately for the
Paktya Province near the Pakistan border.
The unit will focus on Afghan farmers and better wheat yields
and grassland plantings that can sustain sheep and goat herds.
Improved irrigation techniques are also a goal.
A send-off was held on Tuesday in Lincoln.
The Nebraska soldiers will replace a similar unit from Oklahoma.
An Iowa National Guard ag team also was deployed to Afghanistan
last summer.