Ceremony Marks the Completion of Spanish Funded Construction

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On Thursday, 24 Feb 11 representatives of the Spanish Embassy to Afghanistan and NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) gathered to recognize the completion of a construction project that will house an Afghan National Army kandak (battalion) in Baghdis Province. The $17.0 million project was funded by a donation by the Spanish government and provides the barracks, administrative, storage, vehicle maintenance, and other facilities to support 650 soldiers. The Spanish also donated funds to equip the camp with furniture and provide for its maintenance and upkeep. A Spanish military unit is partnered with the Afghan kandak.

Presiding at the ceremony was Brig. Gen. (POL) Jozef Nasiadka, Deputy Commander for International Security Cooperation who recognized the Spanish for their history of contributions of personnel and funding to NTM-A’s mission. The Spanish have taken a particular interest in Baghdis Province, partnering with units deployed to the area and sponsoring an active Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). Following opening remarks, Brig. Gen. Nasiadka invited COL John Ferrari, NTM-A Deputy Commander for Programs, and Col. (ESP) Luis Herruzo, Spanish Defense Attaché in Afghanistan, to sign the document closing the working agreement that transferred the funding and established the responsibilities of each party in the kandak’s construction.

Acting on behalf of NTM-A, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a contract to Areeb Engineering & Logistics-Farzam Construction Co. on 19 Mar 09 for $16,525,920 to construct the base. The project was constructed next to the Provincial capital airport at Qual-e-Naw and adjacent to the Spanish coalition base. Construction completed on 10 Feb 11. The camp is self-sufficient with its own water, power, and waste water systems, along with barracks, latrines, headquarters, maintenance, and storage buildings. The new camp will be a significant improvement in the living conditions for the Afghan soldiers stationed in Baghdis.

The site is extremely tight due to the topography and land available. The airfield is on the only flat site and the kandak sits along the runway alignment and against the hills. The nearby Spanish camp is terraced into the hills. The town park and agricultural land is next to the kandak.

Caption 1: COL Ferrari and Col. (ESP) Herruzo sign the closure document signifying the completion of the construction project funded with a $17 million Spanish donation.

Caption 2: Attendees gather to celebrate the completion of the kandak facility constructed in Baghdis Province with a Spanish donation.

Category: Blog - Logistics