Photo By Capt. Gina Great | Cpl. Jeffrey Gober, a Baytown, Texas, native, has been answering the call of his...... read more read more Photo By Capt. Gina Great | Cpl. Jeffrey Gober, a Baytown, Texas, native, has been answering the call of his commander, Maj. Carl Lockett, during operations as the only forward observer assigned to to the 5K "Miners” Security Force Advisory Team at Forward Operating Base Hadrian in Deh Rawud, Uruzgan. The team is comprised of Texas National Guardsman out of the 56th Infantry Brigade. see less | View Image Page

TARIN KOT, Afghanistan – Since his arrival to Afghanistan, Cpl. Jeffrey Gober a Baytown, Texas, native, has been answering his team’s call as the only forward observer assigned to the “5K Miners,” a 12-man security force advisory team at Forward operating Base Hadrian.



The team is comprised of Texas National Guardsman from the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and as the man out front he is responsible for directing artillery fire and air support help illuminate the skies as SFAT and Afghan Uniform Police conduct operations in Deh Rawud district.



“When the mission was assigned in spring of 2012, Cpl. Gober was handpicked for this mission because of his skill set,” said the SFAT commander, Maj. Carl Lockett. Gober was originally part of the 72nd IBCT, but when this mission came up he was transitioned to 56th IBCT.



This transition has helped improve the “Miner” Team’s mission goals at FOB Hadrian.



“Even though the forward observer does not directly partner with the Afghans, he is indirectly influencing the AUP and the “5K Miners” mission,” according to Locket. “Some days he’s the commander’s security during shuras, then the following day he is my “go to” person during mission briefs where he analyzes key terrain.”



“My favorite is when I get to be a “Fister,” a call for fire support element, illuminating the insurgents with artillery as the AUP and coalition conduct operations,” said Cpl. Jeffery Gober, 56IBCT.



During fire missions, Gober is always quick to help the fire team commander, Capt. John Erwin, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery.



“He always gets the job done, but what makes him standout was he is always willing to stop what he is doing to help another team or teammate out to get their job done,” said Capt. Erwin.



Throughout his deployment helping his team is always a highlight for him.



“As an English major, I have helped my teammate’s write their resumes,” Gober said. “The guys will be returning to the civilian workforce when this mission ends and we go home to Texas.”



The other highlight for him during this deployment has been the support from his family: parents, Jennifer and Edward Miller; son, Elijah; and Elijah’s mother, Sidney Bodine, all of Baytown, Texas. Throughout the deployment they have sent packages of books, movies, food and cookies.



Gober smiles as he thinks about his family especially his son who sends half-eaten cookies.



“My son says he takes a bite out of each cookie to make sure they taste good for me," Gober explained. “And when I get the boxes of half-eaten cookies here in Afghanistan it motivates me to give 100 percent in all that I do because my family back home support me here.”