916th reservist volunteers to help with road map for peace

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Scott Mathews
  • 916th ARW Public Affairs
U.S. Consulate, Jerusalem --  For anyone who thinks that the war in Iraq has gone on too long, just consider that the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis has lasted for more than 100 years with tensions dating back to the late 19th century.

Hostilities as reported today have gone on since 1948 and with all the issues that need to be worked out between the two cultures; it makes it a very fragile situation.

When Lt. Col. Paul Evans, 916th Operations Group deputy commander, found out about a six month deployment to Jerusalem where he would work closely with both sides towards a viable peace, he jumped at the chance to be involved in something meaningful.

Colonel Evans said he was all set to go on a deployment to Qatar, and a week before leaving it fell apart. Disappointed, he called the Air Force Reserve Command Volunteer Deployment Office.

"They asked me if I wanted to go to Israel and I said yes, what's the job?" he said.
After discussing the opportunity with his family and gaining their approval, he then went to wing leadership for approval.

"My timing was right, I called at the right time and I got the immediate support from Col. Sykes and everyone else involved," said Colonel Evans.

In September, he left to help the United States Security Coordinator's team at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem.

The USSC team is a group that has been working to achieve certain goals such as security concerns, crossings and briefing the international community and embassies for funds and other assistance.

The team is headed up by Lt. General Keith Dayton, who was appointed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Colonel Evans said that the overall mission of the USSC is to support the two state solution, which would be Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.
He is part of the team that coordinates with members of the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the European Union and other international organizations in support of the Palestinian Security and Judicial Sector Reform.

"I work for the Department of Defense in conjunction with the State Department at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. We work mainly with the Palestinian Authority on Palestinian issues," said Colonel Evans.

He said they are implementing the Agreement on Movement and Access signed in November 2005 by the Israelis and Palestinians created with the help of Secretary Rice.
The agreement allows Palestinians to gain control over the Rafah Crossing Point - a major exit and entry point in the Gaza strip.

"My focus is the Karni crossing between Gaza and Israel. It is the primary commercial terminal to Gaza and has been closed for more than half of the working days due to security concerns," said Colonel Evans.

Some have called this crossing the "economic life-blood of Gaza." Some of the problems have included car and truck bombs, mortars, rockets and snipers.
Colonel Evans and the other team members are working towards getting the crossing open more often. They meet on a regular basis locally and regionally with international participants to work out issues and concerns.

He said that a presidential waiver is currently being implemented. If all is approved, better security walls, closed circuit television cameras and better lighting will be installed to improve the commercial terminal crossing.

Evans said that they are getting a lot accomplished and that even small progress can pay big dividends. He said that they have had some good, productive meetings between the Israelis and Palestinians and other parties that resulted in positive communication that benefited all sides.

But the Palestinians and Israelis are not the only ones benefiting from the communication. "Back at Seymour Johnson I get a lot of satisfaction from our operational missions," he said. "Here we work through cultural and political differences to try to get goods to 1.4 million people in Gaza, it's very satisfying to play even a small part in that progress."

Colonel Evans said there is a lot of work that needs to be done on a day to day basis and the team works hard everyday. He said the day usually starts at 7:45 a.m. and ends at about 8 p.m.

The team is made up of members from all branches of the U.S. Military, the British and Canadian Military, the Department of State, and civilian personnel from the US, Canada and Palestine.

"This is a very diverse group of people. It's been rewarding working with them," said Colonel Evans.

Colonel Evans will return home in March after his tour had ended.

He said, "This has been the most challenging and satisfying of jobs," he said. "I highly recommend taking an opportunity like this and appreciate the support of my wife, family, friends and the 916th in this deployment."