The Air Force has just released a stirring story of a Catholic chaplain working in one of America’s war zones — in many ways, the “forgotten war zone,” Afghanistan:

“I’ve been deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey, amongst others,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Weber, who is deployed from Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, “but this is the first time I’ve deployed to a war zone for a mission this diverse.”

As garrison chaplain for Camp Eggers, which is located within Afghanistan’s capital city, Chaplain Weber provides religious and spiritual support for the joint military population serving the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

He also supports Navy Command Chaplain (Capt.) James Fisher, who dedicates his time to the Religious and Cultural Affairs, or RCA, ministry, which mentors and trains the Afghan military and police chaplain corps.

It’s a position that urgently needed to be filled after the Army chaplain originally assigned here suffered a heart attack last month, said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Hays, religious program specialist, who serves as Chaplain Weber’s assistant.

“An improvised explosive device detonated on the right side our vehicle while we were outside the wire,” said Petty Officer Hays. “Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the chaplain suffered a heart attack a few days later and was medically evacuated.”

That’s when Chaplain Weber volunteered to come here.

“I was fulfilling a deployment obligation in Tampa, Florida (at U.S. Central Command at McDill Air Force Base),” he said. “Word came back that they needed a chaplain here. I saw this as an opportunity to get some more experience in a war zone, so that later when I counsel war veterans, I would be able to relate better to what they’ve been through.”

Though Chaplain Weber has been in country for only a few weeks, he’s already found himself dressed in full “battle-rattle”, or body armor, accompanying Chaplain Fisher outside the wire to meet with local mullahs as part of the RCA program.

“If we do not win the mullahs, we will not win this war,” said Chaplain Fisher, referring to the Islamic leaders of the local villages. “Once we gain their trust, then the people will trust us, too.”

Chaplain Weber said his first meeting with the mullahs really helped in understanding the Afghan culture.

“This is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” he said. “Their entire culture and way of life is based upon their religion. Even though mine is a different religion, they saw me as a religious person and they respected that. There was a sense of camaraderie. We both understand the importance of religion in people’s lives and because of that, we were able to come together and share ideas.”

The article goes on to note that the first mass the chaplain celebrated was attended by about 70 people — a group so large, they had to move to a bigger tent. And the chaplain notes: “With the stress level out here, it’s important for people to be around things that are familiar to them. By providing them an outlet for their faith, to bring them the traditions of their faith, that helps them cope with issues of separation.”

On this feast, let us pray in a special way for Our Lady’s protection and guidance over all who serve our country.

Photo: by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi, U.S. Air Force