Coalition engineers create movable base for fighters in field

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Zuk | A coalition service member nails the corner of the hut frame down in Camp Brown, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on Aug. 30.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

09.02.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

Combined Joint Task Force - 82

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces face a mobile and elusive enemy force in the austere deserts and rugged mountains of Afghanistan. When fighting against an enemy such as this, having the ability to quickly build a fully-operational base in one of these locations is an invaluable asset.

To aid in the process of building a new firebase, special operations engineers have utilized a system of pre-building firebases to exponentially decrease the amount of time it takes to build a fully operating base in a new location.

"We're establishing a base in the middle of nowhere; there is no outside infrastructure," said a special operations engineer lieutenant colonel. "If there were buildings or walls there, we could incorporate them into our construction, but often, that isn't the case. What we bring is all we have, and the climate is austere so we don't want to spend a lot of time messing around with construction."

When the pieces of the base are finished, the components can be transported to the location where the new forward operating base will be built.

"We can move the pre-fabricated pieces to the preset location by air or ground," said the engineer lieutenant colonel. "After they arrive at their destination, our engineers waste no time in beginning construction. We bring bucket loaders, backhoes and cranes to finish the job as expediently as possible."

After transportation is complete and the pre-fabricated pieces are in place, Army engineers and Navy Seabees (builders) complete assembly of guard towers, bathrooms, showers, and hard-walled living quarters. In addition, they complete the elements that could not be pre-fabricated, such as defensive positions, electrical systems, and walls. Army and Navy engineers work together with the goal of completing the base as quickly as possible.

"Basic engineering skills such as carpentry, electrical and equipment operation are the same for each service component engineer," said the special operations engineer lieutenant colonel. "The Army and Navy engineers, who create most of the bases in Afghanistan, work together to get the jobs done."

The method of pre-fabrication also has another advantage over the military's traditional "go there and build it" method. Taking less time to construct a new operating base allows the Soldiers who live there to spend more time fighting the enemies of Afghanistan.

"A pre-fabricated fire base also provides more immediate force protection measures," said the engineer lieutenant colonel. "This reduces time spent defending the Soldiers and Sailors who are constructing the forward operating base, which changes the focus towards a quicker transition to tactical operations, our primary mission."

• Date Taken: 09.02.2007
• Date Posted: 09.04.2007 07:48
• Story ID: 12125
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF