BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 8, 2008) — Long known to protect the waters surrounding the United States, the question asked each time someone sees them is, “What is the U.S. Coast Guard doing here?”

Chief Petty Officer Daniel Kinville, damage controlman (watertight integrity specialist), and Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Kowalewski, yeoman (administrative or human-resource specialist), are part of an eight-person unit from the 1179th Deployment Support Brigade of the U.S. Coast Guard, and are currently the only two Coast Guard personnel in Afghanistan.

“Usually, everyone’s first reaction when they see us is shock,” said Kowalewski, a Pittsburgh, Pa., native. “They can’t seem to figure out why we’re so far from the U.S. coast and why we’re in a landlocked country.”

So, why are the maritime law enforcers landlocked in Afghanistan?

The answer lies in the Coast Guard’s reputation for keen attention to detail with paperwork, packing, customs, and hazardous materials shipping and storage – their ability to continually ship cross-Atlantic and cross-Pacific containers without frustration issues. Based on their reputation, the Army requested the Coast Guard’s help with redeploying and sea lifting their gear.

“The Soldiers get really excited when they see us,” she explained. “They know that once we get here and start customs services, means they are getting closer to going home.”

Kinville and Kowalewski are both serving nine-month deployments and neither is performing duties typical to their rate (military occupational specialty). As a prerequisite for their duties here, each had to go through extensive hazardous materials handling, packing and shipping courses, followed by convoy travel and weapons training.

Still, the additional training and stepping out of normal roles expands a service member’s breadth of experience, said Kinville, a Yorktown, Va., native. “We get the experience of working with the Navy, Air Force, Army and Marines. This is something totally different than what we do back in the States,” he said.

They were both startled when they heard a 155 mm Howitzer fire for the first time and Kowalewski experienced her first helicopter ride.

“The chance to be here, see the frontlines with the Soldiers, experience their way of life in and around the different stages of deployment is really amazing,” said Kinville. “I’m proud to be able to support them and help where I can.”