RSC-SW engineers, Navy Seabees survey river crossing

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.10.2013

Story by Bill Putnam 

Regional Support, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan / Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, Afghanistan – Engineers from Regional Support Command-Southwest and U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 surveyed a potential permanent bridge site and a fording site here Feb. 11, 2013.

The lack of a reliable crossing can inhibit resupply and movement of Afghan Border Police units south toward the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which is roughly 100 km south of Forward Operating Base Payne. Not far from the FOB on the south side of the river is one of three ABP outposts called “South Station.” A crossing will help the ABP in those three stations push south.

“The yearlong river crossing will provide immediate access to the three ABP substations south of the Helmand River,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Adam Perrins, an engineer with RSC-SW. “These three stations will be the step-off point for further pushes south as the ABP expands their sphere of control.”

Currently, the ABP and Marine units use a ford to cross the river. It’s an option most of the year but the river typically runs high mid-March to mid-May. That’s a problem for most of the ABP who use Ford Ranger trucks.

“The river is a constant barrier to logistical support and reinforcements as the Afghan Border Police push further south,” said Perrins. “With a reliable river crossing, the ABP can count on continued support.”

The requirement for a bridge or fording site came up last year and, after validation earlier this year, RSC-SW was tasked to identify courses of action, said Perrins.

“We are currently doing preparation work to develop possible COAs [courses of action] based on the natural constraints of the river and surrounding area,” said Perrins.

If the project receives a green light to build a bridge or ford, it will probably be done by local contractors at a cost of between $1 to $6 million, Perrins said.

Perrins and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Klass worked with U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Classes Mark Monton and Irwin Tan, surveyors from NMCB 133, along with a U.S. Marine first lieutenant, to survey both sides of the river.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2013
• Date Posted: 03.11.2013 02:17
• Story ID: 103241
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF