U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chaunda Wharton and NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Hof speak to Sarco Abad Deputy Managing Director Angela Sidiqi about the progress of Afghan women-owned businesses January 17, Kabul, Afghanistan. Wharton serves as NTM-A’s program manager for the Afghan women owned businesses and local acquisitions non-commissioned officer at Camp Eggers. KABUL– A local Columbia, S.C. Native is on a year-long mission to help Afghan Women Owned Businesses produce necessary equipment for the Afghan National Security Forces.

U. S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chaunda Wharton, serving as the NATO Training Mission--Afghanistan’s program manager for the Afghan Women Owned Businesses and local acquisitions non-commissioned officer at Camp Eggers, oversees the manufacturing production of women owned textile businesses. She ensures that they meet the needs of the Afghan National Security Forces by delivering organizational clothing and equipment.

“ We’ve helped build the economy’s base by employing the local people of Kabul, so they are able to support themselves and their families,” said Wharton. “As a society to succeed, I think everyone should be afforded the opportunity to work, not just men.”

Finding a job as a woman in Afghanistan, especially without education, isn’t always easy. Wharton assists these companies by providing Afghan women with not only jobs but education opportunities and family support.

“ Women in this country have been denied these opportunities for years, so for us to help build their self-esteem and empower them is something as Americans we may take for granted,” said Wharton.

The Dreher High School graduate joined the Air Force in November 1996 as a material management apprentice. This is her second deployment.

“I really enjoy what I do here. This deployment so far is more rewarding than my last because I get see the impact we have on lives of the people working as a result of the work I do out here,” said Wharton. “It makes me want to work harder because I know that worker is trying to feed a family of five or maybe even10.”

During her time in Afghanistan, Wharton said she missed her six-year old son and four- year old daughter.

“ I’m going to miss their birthdays, but I am excited to come home,” she said.

NTM-A is a coalition of 37 troop- contributing nations charged with assisting the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014. For more information about NTM- A, visit www.ntm-a.com."