Major Eric Lanham deployed to Afghanistan in July 2005 as a civil affairs team leader as part of the joint special operations task force. He was sent out to Chamkani Firebase in Regional Command-East along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. His mission supported an ODA and he would typically assess areas and identify projects that would positively affect the civilian population. His unit was resupplied every eight days by a Chinook when helicopters were available. They had to stockpile supplies because there were many interruptions to the supply push. For the most part, the area was friendly to their presence and he attended weekly meetings with the elders where projects were discussed that would benefit the surrounding population. His biggest frustration would be the delay in getting projects approved. He believes the Army needs to streamline the process again so change can occur at a faster pace.

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