Passing the torch: Task Force Phoenix gives way to new Kabul Base Cluster Command

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.18.2010

Story by Capt. Anthony Deiss 

196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

✔ ✗ Subscribe

3

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – For years, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix has helped to provide operational and basic life-support services for servicemembers serving in the Regional Command – Capital area of responsibility. In April, CJTF-P was officially disbanded and has passed this torch onto the new Kabul Base Cluster Installation Command.

At the helm of the KBC is Task Force Rushmore, lead by the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Dakota Army National Guard. The 196th assumed command on June 26 and has begun to provide policy, guidance and sustainment support for 11 military bases throughout Kabul.

These areas of support pertain to garrison command functions, force protection and security, information management systems, logistics sustainment, resource management and public works projects.

The 196th's goal is to provide the best and most efficient services needed for base life-support for the nearly 9,000 U.S. and coalition forces stationed across the capital.

“Right now the best thing we can do to help win this war is to support those fighting it,” said Brig. Gen. Theodore Johnson, Task Force Rushmore commander. “If our soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors don’t have the proper security, training, equipment and facilities, they can’t be successful.”

For the better part of the Afghanistan war, CJTF-P has had the mission to help train and mentor Afghan National Army and Police throughout RC-C. Based at Camp Phoenix, the CJTF-P command sustained this mission with a number of U.S. and coalition forces stationed at a variety of based throughout the city. With great success, the CJTF-P trained thousands of ANA and ANP forces.

In recent years, CJTF-P has seen their mission change with commands such as NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan assuming more of the mentoring and training of ANA and ANP forces. CJTF-P began overseeing more of the daily, life-support services for bases that were quickly growing throughout Kabul.

With these bases having varying levels of support, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan leaders quickly realized the need for a single command to provide oversight and sustainment support for the growing number of military installations.

“Many of the bases within the Kabul Base Cluster were operating independently and had varying levels of support,” said Johnson. “To set the conditions for future success, these bases needed a single command to be responsible for security, logistical and administrative requirements.”

The new KBC command will have oversight on procedures to cover master expansion plans, billeting plans, tracking plans for contracted services, force protection improvement plans and improved supply procedures and efficiencies for the entire KBC.

Much like its name, the cluster of bases brings its own unique set of challenges and requirements: varying in size, number of forces, infrastructure development and operational control. What makes the National Guard well suited for such an undertaking is the number of civilian skill sets it brings to the KBC mission.

With civilian employment in city administration, civil engineering and government, the 196th brings practical experience in operating cities or government agencies back home – which is an advantage in operating bases that function much in the same way.

“The base camps need services that you find in cities; emergency services for firefighting; public works for adequate living and working spaces; resource management for new construction and maintenance projects,” said Maj. Jason Kettwig, a city administrator in Milbank, S.D. “We have a lot of people in the unit with the kind of experience needed for this mission.”

Kettwig, a logistics officer for the 196th, says planning is critical to ensuring synergy amongst the different bases.

“The bases, as with many municipalities, rely on detailed master plans that provide a road map for ensuring essential services are well thought out, and can handle any expansion or growth improvements,” said Kettwig. “Directorates need coordination and prioritization so they do not hinder the objectives of other departments.”

“We have a tremendous responsibility with this mission,” said Johnson. “We are supporting servicemembers that our leadership is relying on to execute the counterinsurgency strategy. It is imperative we help build the foundation for the KBC and set the conditions for future success.”