Mullah Engagement Program
Mullah Engagement Program:
Helmand and Farah Provinces, Afghanistan
15 February — 15 March 2010
by Commander Philip Pelikan, CHC, USN
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“By order of the Commanding General, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), Afghanistan, the Command Chaplain and a Muslim Chaplain (if obtainable), along with appropriate political specialists, governance advisors, and necessary security, were to engage with Islamic leadership in Helmand and Farah Provinces in discussions to enhance the relationship with key religious leaders and the communities in which they serve in order to convey the good will and otherwise positive intentions of U.S. Government and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force)/NATO forces operating in the region in conjunction with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and its military and police forces.”
This was the basic premise for the operation which subsequently took place between February and March 2010, and for which I was responsible to organize and carry out. Additionally, my responsibilities as the MEB Command Chaplain were to provide religious coverage, general pastoral care for the Marines and Sailors of 2nd MEB, and supervision of 15 chaplains.
Download the Full Article: Mullah Engagement Program
Commander Philip Pelikan is a prior-enlisted (’71-’75) U.S. Air Force Intelligence Analyst. He has been a U.S. Navy Chaplain for 21 years; 10 of which have been with the U.S. Marines. He is a priest in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and currently serves as the Command Chaplain for U.S. Naval Support Activity, Naples, Italy.
