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Transcript of THE SPO TIMES -September
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TABEL OF CONTENTS:
P. 1 & 6-7: Kandahar Regional Military Hospital
P. 2-3: From our leaders
P.4-5: Keystone 9 expedites parts delivery to ANA
P. 8: ANA’s 215th Corps move into new Forward Supply De-pot
P. 9: Featured coalition P. 9: Featured coalition P. 9: Featured coalition
partnerpartnerpartner
P. 10: ANA takes over opera-tions at Chimtallah National Ammunition Depot
P. 11: ANSF participates in pilot class for contracting
P. 12-13: Coalition members organize film festival to build morale
P. 16-17: From Trash to Treas-ures; massive cleanup
P. 18-19: Around the battle-field
P. 20: Camp Eggers remem-bers 9/11
Inter nal newslet ter for our ser vice member s and famil ies . . .
Volume 1 , Issue 5
The SPO Times is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The SPO Times are not necessarily the official
views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army. The commanding officer for NTM-A DCOM SPO is Brig. Gen.
Clark W. LeMasters Jr. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO Public Affairs
Officer. Contact information: [email protected], DSN: 318-237-0470, Cell: 070-681-8709.
September 2012 THE SPO-TIMES
Kandahar Regional Military Hospital: the premier trauma care center in Afghanistan
Story by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO PAO
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – While child mortality rates or aver-age life expectancy in Afghanistan may come as a shock to the Western world, there are bright spots in the country’s health care system that affect entire regions. One of these bright spots is the Afghan National Army’s Re-gional Military Hospital in Kandahar. See ANA HOSPITAL on p. 6-7
A nurse tends to an Afghan National Army soldier Aug. 20., in the Kandahar Regional Medical
Hospital. Although only 177 of the 237 Tashkill (authorization document) positions are filled it
is considered the premier trauma care center. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux
2
DCOM-SPO Team,
I have a few very important things to share with you all this month.
As the month of September comes to end, gives us an opportunity to share some
memories and look forward to October. One key event of September was the Pre-
Deployment Site Survey (PDSS) for the 16th Sustain Brigade out of Germany; they
came here with a motivated team between 8-10 folks to include their Commander and
Command Sergeant Major to see how the DCOM-SPO operate on a daily basis. We
shared our daily activities, took them on a few road trips, talked about some challenges
and best of all, the way ahead. The 16th Sustain Brigade is ready to get into the rotation
of this mission, but must wait their time. The Current DCOM-SPO/13ESC, still has
plenty of work to do.
I was honored to witness hundreds of Afghan Seniors NCO sharing a dinner meal
as they prepared for their Annual Sergeant Major of the Army Conference. The Non-
Commissioned Officer Corps of Afghanistan is on their way to build an excellent
team; as I do Battle Field Circulations to the different Regions and communicate with
my Afghan counterparts, they share lots of the same concerns as our service members;
they are honored to serve their country, want to make a better life for themselves, and
they have thoughts on how to make their system work; have trouble getting the infor-
mation to the top as we do on occasions. Green on blue is a terminology normally used
for an incident that involves an act of violent of an Afghan Soldier/Policeman against a coalition or friendly force. I can tell you that
green on blue doesn’t include the professionals I just spoke about; folks that commit green on blue, aren’t part of the Afghan and
coalition team that wants to see a country of greatness.
Our coalition partners are a main effort in the development of the Afghan Soldier, police and play a significant role in all areas
of leadership. I want to express how very proud I am of your accomplishments in DCOM-SPO! You all make doing more with less
look easy, each and every day. We have downsized due to surge recovery, eliminated some billets and despite challenges you are all
performing wonderfully. Your laser focus on training up our Afghan partners has not waivered one bit.
It’s very satisfying to see how many convoys are now planned, and conducted by our Afghan National Security Forces
(ANSF) partners. It is heartwarming to look at the photos of Afghan service school graduations, or go to yet another forward support
depot or training facility turnover! You may not see the big picture at your level, but I can assure you that your work is appreciated
and you are contributing to the success of this mission. Without you, we would not be able to achieve our goals as an organization!
I need you to remain alert and focused on our goals. Keep in mind the reasons we are here and do not allow the actions of a few
taint your opinion about the people of Afghanistan as a whole! Check and double check everything. Make sure that as you conduct
training programs, you are abiding by all safety and security measures. Do not become complacent. I need everyone to remain alert
and aware of your surroundings, even as you are setting foot on the aircraft that will take you home.
If you are close to redeployment, make sure the person who replaces you has all the tools in hand to continue operations. A
seamless transition is paramount to maintain the momentum we have achieved. Think about things you must share with them; try to
remember things you wish you were told when you took over the mission! Make sure you establish solid continuity books, and ex-
amples of the work you do on a day to day basis. If you have the name of the individual replacing you, be sure to contact them and
be a reliable sponsor as they transition into theater. This should be no different than being an assigned sponsor for someone stateside!
If you are just arriving to this AOR, remember it’s about work and balance ”everyday”; work out, eat, rest, make friends, use
the MWR facilities and keep in touch with your family. Have a plan for what you are trying to accomplish during this deployment,
have a plan for what you will do once you leave here. Have some fun. Do follow your football team! Do participate in fantasy foot-
ball! And if you are one of our coalition brothers, do follow soccer, cricket or whatever it is the national sport in your country. Do
not isolate yourself from what is going on in the world, keep up with the news.
I once again wanted to express my gratitude to those who support us from home. The Team here in theater and the folks back
home keeps us strong. Deployments help to put into perspective of those things that are important and help to focus on wanting them
again. Please continue to keep the communication open. We may be apart, but we can be part of the process of whatever is going on
when given the opportunity. Keep the photos, home videos, and any special moments coming for us to stay up to date of what’s go-
ing on in our family and town.
It’s an honor to service beside people who are here for a cause greater then themselves, no matter what your reason. You don’t
have to be here, it was your choice.
I am very proud of our DCOM-SPO team, keep up the good work!
CSM Terry E. Parham Sr., DCOM-SPO CSM
From our leadership
3
DCOM-SPO Team,
Your hard work continues to make impacts. Now that the Force
Manning Level reductions or "Surge Reductions" are complete I ask each
of you to gather with the sections and relook the missions you are per-
forming. We've spent a great deal of effort on DCOM-SPO priorities
across each of the sections, but with fewer people these reviews are very
important. Make sure your priorities are accurate.
The Staff is working hard to define what the DCOM-SPO will look
like out through FY 13. This effort is called BASEORD 13, and it is also
important that you understand this planning effort, which is led by the
DCOM-SPO J5. We are basing our manning levels on the dates, we plan
to transition logistics nodes and functions. Transition dates are based on
BASEORD 13 planning, the Mid Year Azimuth Check and to lesser de-
gree our monthly Logistics Assessment and the Unified Transition Plan.
Ask questions and make sure you sections priorities and manning levels
for the next year are correct.
Logistics Capabilities Assessment Tool (LCAT). As I mentioned last month the Logistics Common Oper-
ating Picture (LCOP) has developed into an extremely useful method to assess our progress in developing lo-
gistics capabilities. You must understand it. We changed our assessment approach in September, and are now
focusing on the plans to "fix" issues; those areas assessed at "RED" or "AMBER" rating on the LCAT. Now
the RSC teams lay out their plans to provide training, advising, or other resources they need help with to get an
issue fixed. Training and advising are the primary area that can be applied quickly to fix shortfalls. All the
training efforts are managed by the J3, so if you are working on something that has the word "training" in it-
you need to get with the J3.
As many of you know the 13th ESC members of DCOM-SPO will redeploy around the first week in De-
cember and our numbers will be replaced by the 16th Sustainment Brigade. Our goal is to develop a good road
map for the incoming members of DCOM-SPO. As discussed above- this will include a well defined list of
priorities and good explanations of everything you are working on. This will be a larger than normal change in
people- so we must spend time cleaning up our records, history files, SOPs and prepare for a relief in place.
As part of the close out of 13th ESC, we will conduct another Commander's Conference on 28-29 November
so the new team can meet our Commanders and vice a versa. As you look at your individual area of concen-
tration, I ask you to focus on simple and clear instructions to help the new members of the team quickly under-
stand your responsibilities and practices.
Thanks again for the hard work and if you have questions or something is not clear- Please Ask!
“Shohna-ba-Shohna!" شاهنه به شاهنه
BG Clark LeMasters
DCOM-SPO/13th ESC Commander
NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
DCOM-SPO/13th ESC
4
Operation Keystone 9 expedites parts Operation Keystone 9 expedites parts Operation Keystone 9 expedites parts
delivery for Afghan National Armydelivery for Afghan National Armydelivery for Afghan National Army
By Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMBy Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMBy Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM---SPO PAOSPO PAOSPO PAO
CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan – A
handful of service members as-
signed to the Deputy Commander
of Support Operations under
NATO Training Mission-
Afghanistan have planned and
are executing an operation known
as Keystone 9.
This operation, which started
in July of 2012 and is expected
to run until late October, rapidly
processes repair parts and dis-
tributes these parts to Afghan
National Army units.
“Operation Keystone 9 is a
mission designed to expedite the
delivery of critical Class IX repair
parts to the theater in support of
the ANA combat operations,”
said Lt. Cmdr. Trey Scudder, the
senior mentor for the Second
Forward Support Depot ( under
Regional Logistics Support Com-
mand-Kandahar) supporting the
ANA and also the deputy for Lo-
gistics Training Advisory Team
South. “A secondary mission of
the operation is to clear out the
global backlog of Class IX repair
parts destined for the ANA …
filling the Authorized Stockage
List for each of the ANA Corps
thereby giving the ANA a base-
line from which to support their
respective maintenance com-
panies,” Scudder added.
The concept is multifold,
said Chief Warrant Officer 2
Dempster D. Upshaw, a supply
technician who manages Class
IX parts within DCOM-SPO. In-
stead of all parts arriving from
New Cumberland… and from
Thailand going through Kabul
some are now flown into Kan-
dahar where they are prioritized,
sorted and pushed out.
“It is saving time by elimi-
nating the Depot 0 warehouse
(the national-level Class IX re-
pair parts depot)…and essen-
tially doing a ‘direct delivery’ of
parts and supplies to the front
doorsteps of the customers…
These parts hit home to the ac-
tion level directly,” Upshaw said.
DCOM-SPO receives notifi-
cation of inbound parts approxi-
mately 48 hours before they ar-
rive to Kandahar. It allows Up-
shaw to have a look at what is on
the particular aircraft and match
up against on hand supplies and
shortages.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Greg Pierce, a member of the Coalition Forces Sorting Facility team
in Regional Support Command-South guides a forklift in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as it
downloads cargo June 10 at a yard used to temporarily sort and prioritize incoming and outgo-
ing shipments of critical repair parts for the Afghan National Army. Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr.
Trey Scudder, RSC-South Logistics Training and Advisory Team deputy
See KEYSTONE 9 next page
5
Once they arrive at Kandahar Air Field, incoming parts are
all signed for by a coalition representative. All parts are con-
voyed to the Coalition Forces Sorting Facility that they all af-
fectionately refer to as the “Yard.” Here service members sort
the parts. “The hard work displayed by a very small team
comprised of five Marines, one Sailor, three Airmen and seven
Army service members is a true testament to the merits of
joint service missions. The level of enthusiasm displayed by
the troops involved in this mission literally breathed life back
into the ANA repair parts system” said Scudder.
Once parts are sorted, Scudder’s team arranges for
transportation by either ANA transportation assets to nearby
locations or coalition assets to remote locations. By simply
bypassing the logjam in Kabul, Scudder thinks that several
weeks are shaved off the traditional processing time.
Operation Keystone 9 is a temporary solution, allowing
ANA units to receive repair parts in the midst of the fighting
season and also allowing Depot 0 to clear up their backlog
and conduct personnel training, before all parts are routed
through them again, starting late September.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Eckert, a member of
the Coalition Forces Sorting Facility team in Re-
gional Support Command-South checks date on a
shipping box of spare parts against his inventory
listing July 10, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Trey Scudder, RSC-
South Logistics Training and Advisory Team deputy
KEYSTONE 9
Afghan National Army soldiers carry a simulated casualty played by an ANA soldier into the triage area during an ANA
mass casualty exercise at the 215th Maiwand Corps' clinic on Camp Shorabak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept.
9, 2012. The exercise was held to help the ANA medical staff on Camp Shorabak organize and fine tune their mass
casualty treatment plans. U.S. Army photo by Bill Putnam
6
ANA HOSPITAL continued
Here, the wards are kept cool by air conditioning systems, patients lay in clean beds, most covered with colorful sheets and the medical staff, housekeeping and administration works around the clock to care for those in need. Not only do they treat combat injuries, they also assist civilians and following interna-tional healthcare norms, they also provide assistance to in-jured insurgents. “A lot of what you see here is what we have done internally in the Afghan system our-selves,” said ANA Brig. Gen. Sayed Azim Hussaini, the hospi-tal commander, through an in-terpreter. Azim has been a doc-tor serving his country for 28 years. He learned medicine in Kabul and prior to taking com-mand of this facility, he com-manded the ANA Regional Medical Hospital in Herat. The facility recently in-creased the number of emer-gency room beds from three to nine, intensive care unit beds from four to seven, and doubled the number of total beds from 50 to 100 to accommodate general admission patients, said Dr. Mohammad Sadiq, Chief of the Medical Staff and general sur-gery specialist. “The RMH here in Kandahar is probably the most advanced and efficient hospital in the en-tire Afghanistan,” Azim said. He and his coworkers continuously try to improve the facility and the efficiency of care. He greatly contributes the hospitals suc-cess to his devoted employees. “I am very proud of my staff,” Azim said. They are very disciplined and organized. Each
and every one of them are tak-ing care of the patients…Nothing can be done by one person. I appreciate my team here and everything we do is teamwork. A commander with-out a team is not a commander; I am a commander because I have a team,” said Azim hum-bly. Recently his team and the Afghan Air Force distinguished themselves with conducting the first four all-Afghan organized and Afghan-led MEDEVAC mis-sions from KRMH, although Azim admits that the routine MEDEVAC process still needs some work. Other areas where they need to improve, Azim said, are getting medical supplies to the
Class VIII medical supply ware-house and the hospital faster and they would also need more surgical subspecialists. “What is unique here is how the Afghan providers do so much under such difficult cir-cumstances. The providers are generalists and do amazing things…while they lack in sub-specialties, they make up for it in just practical experience,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John P. Savage, a medical adviser working with Azim and his team in Regional Support Command-South, under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.
Dr. Mohammad Sadiq, the chief of medical staff and general surgery specialists gives a tour
of the Afghan National Army’s Kandahar Regional Military Hospital to a visiting NATO group
Aug. 20, 2012. The facility is considered a premier trauma care center in Afghanistan. The
hospital receives visits from a NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan mentor team from Regional
Support-Command South on a regular basis. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux,
DCOM-SPO PAO
See ANA HOSPITAL next page
7
KRMH treats 20 percent of the total ANA battle injuries and sup-port 27 percent of all intensive care unit admissions for the ANA that occur in the entire coun-try of Afghanistan. The hospital aver-ages 650 hospital bed days per month, said Sadiq. The hospital staff assists with the ANA’s Combat Medic Training, Combat Physician As-sistant Program, and Biomedical Equipment Repair Training Pro-gram as well conducts their own staff training to improve the number of trained medical pro-fessionals within the ANA. Its Afghan physician-taught physi-
cian’s assistance class is half way through its 13-month dura-tion and is predicted to graduate approximately 50, said Sadiq. The NTM-A trainers, to in-
clude Savage are very optimistic
about the hospital and have a
high opinion about the quality of
services provided there. “The
staff is extremely
committed, an effec-
tive organization,
working with very
limited resources,
that I would trust
with my own life,”
said Savage.
“If I was injured
on that compound,
the 20 minutes it
would take to call
and get a U.S. heli-
copter to come and
get me, is 20 minutes I would
not want to wait. I would trust
the staff out there to be able to
take care of me. There is no
U.S. community based hospital
that could do what they regularly
do for trauma or mass casualty
response,” said Savage.
ANA HOSPITAL
The medical staff of the Afghan National Army’s Kandahar Regional Military
Hospital, who were on duty Aug. 20, 2012, pose for a photo in one of the
hallways of the hospital. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeux, DCOM-SPO PAO
RSC-Capital ANP ENG turns over a completed project
to Afghan Uniformed Police at Istal i f The Korem Ebad Construction
Company, the Istalif District Gover-
nor, 1st Lt. Kyle Staron, Regional
Support Command –Capital Af-
ghan National Police Engineer
Project Manager (wearing glasses),
and other members of RSC-Capital
watch as ANA Lt. Col Hashim, Is-
talif District Deputy Commander,
cuts the ceremonial green ribbon
to officially turn over the facility
Sept. 1. Istalif is a village about 18
miles northwest of Kabul, Afghani-
stan. The project consisted of a
combined barracks, latrine,
shower, shave, and washing facil-
ity, a power plant, dining facility,
well house and site work valued at
$790,000. The new compound
will be used to house AUP and
allow the ANP to grow to meet its
new Tashkill requirements and
future demands in serving and
protecting the Afghan people.
Cutline by U S Army Capt. Andew
D. Wilkerson,
Photo by Dan Dergance
8
CAMP SHORABAK, Af-
ghanistan – The 215th Maiwand
Corps cut the ribbon on a major
facility that will increase their
logistical ability to supply their
soldiers for operations Sept. 5.
The Corps’ Regional Logis-
tics Supply Center took over a
set of 23 barracks, offices and
warehouse buildings during a
ceremony in the site’s new din-
ing facility attended by officers
and soldiers from the ANA and
their advisors from Regional
Support Command Southwest,
NATO Training Mission and the
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
(Forward).
Afghan National Army Maj.
Gen. Hotak, the commander of
the ANA’s Army Support Com-
mand, thanked (through an inter-
preter) NATO Training Mission-
Afghanistan and Regional Com-
mand-Southwest for their help in
building the facility.
“I’m very happy to be here par-
ticipating in this ceremony,” Hotak
said during his speech. “On behalf of
the (Ministry of Defense) I’d like to
thank you for building this facility.”
Logistics plays a very important
role in supplying an Army, Hotak con-
tinued. “It doesn’t matter how units are
fighting if they don’t have strong logis-
tics they won’t perform well,” he said.
“In history of the ANA we’ve
never had such a facility. I’d like to
thank you from the bottom of my
heart,” Hotak said. “Since we have
such a great facility that will actually
increase what we do.”
During the ceremony, U.S. Ma-
rine Corps 1st Lt. Joe Strumolo said he
was happy everything during the cere-
mony went smoothly. He was planning
the next step in the move from the
FSD’s current facilities to the new site.
Strumolo, an adviser to the 215th
Maiwand Corps RLSC, said the ANA
in the RLSC planned the entire event.
“You’re a little nervous but they
executed the way they were supposed
to,” Strumolo said. “They planned and
executed that entire event.”
Strumolo said how everything
related to how the Maiwand Corps
fights will be stored in the warehouses
and, like Hotak said during the cere-
mony, the ANA are grateful for the
site.
“How the kandaks fight, eat and
treat the wounded comes from those
buildings,” Strumolo said.
“They’re very grateful,” Strumolo
said. He also said few of the ANA sol-
diers have told their advisers they un-
derstand what it will take to maintain
the buildings.
“’We want to make you proud, we
want to make your country proud’ and
they want to use this to support their
brothers fighting,” Strumolo said.
“They understand if they don’t take
care of these buildings their ability to
do that goes down.”
The ANA have started moving
into the buildings and they should be
fully up and running in the next month
or so, Strumolo said.
“That’s everyone living and work-
ing out of the new buildings,” he said.
The FSD is part one of a three-
part build to increase the Corps’ logis-
tics, Strumolo said. An ammunition
bunker complex and a new set of vehi-
cle maintenance buildings will be fin-
ished in the next few months.
Building upkeep will be done by
75 ANA soldiers trained in plumbing,
wiring and even cooking equipment
maintenance, Strumolo said.
Regional Support CommandRegional Support CommandRegional Support Command---West West West
Change of CommandChange of CommandChange of Command
ANA’s 215ANA’s 215ANA’s 215ththth Corps move into new Forward Supply DepotCorps move into new Forward Supply DepotCorps move into new Forward Supply Depot By Bill Putnam, Regional Support CommandBy Bill Putnam, Regional Support CommandBy Bill Putnam, Regional Support Command---Southwest Public Affairs Specialist Southwest Public Affairs Specialist Southwest Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Clark LeMasters, right, the deputy commander of Support Operations, NATO
Training Mission Afghanistan, and Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Hotak, the commander of the
ANA's Army Support Command, cut the ribbon to open the 215th Maiwand Corps' Forward Supply
Depot at Camp Shorabak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2012. The FSD will supply the
Afghan National Army's 215th Maiwand Corps in Helmand and Nimrouz provinces. U.S. Army
photo by Bill Putnam
9
Regional Support CommandRegional Support CommandRegional Support Command---West West West
Change of CommandChange of CommandChange of Command
SEPTEMBER’S SEPTEMBER’S SEPTEMBER’S FE ATU RE DFE ATU RE DFE ATU RE D COAL I T I ONCOAL I T I ONCOAL I T I ON PPPART N ERART N ERART N ER
AAAD RI AND RI AND RI AN D IM AD IM AD IM A FFFROMROMROM RRROM AN I AOM AN I AOM AN I A
A moment with Capt. Dima By LS2. Ronald Pitts, Regional Support Command-South/NTM-A Public Affairs Specialist
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan— Deployments present service members with unique experiences, which include meeting coali-tion partners like Capt. Adrian Dima of the Roma-nian Gendarmerie, who is assigned to Regional Support Command-South as the Romanian Gen-darmerie liaison officer (LNO). Dima arrived in Afghanistan from the city of Bacau, in the eastern part of Romania in “early May along with the 3rd Romanian Contigent.” His team is the third group of Romanian Gendarmerie’s to serve as part of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and are here on a six-month rotation helping work with the Afghan National Police at their various training sites in Southern Afghanistan. Dima personally brings 18 ½ years of experience with him. Romanian Gendarmerie members selected for duty in Afghanistan must “pass certain test, and examinations to include psychological, physical, medical, theoretical, and practical,” said Dima. The Gendarmerie sounds like a unique name so I asked Dima to explain what it is. The Roma-nian Gendarmerie is a “police force dedicated to combating violent crimes, crowd and riot control, security of high profile events (sporting events, pub-lic celebrations) as well as international police as-sistance.” The description seems to fit the Gendar-merie well for their mission here in Afghanistan helping the ANP, since much of what the Gendar-merie specializes in are still ongoing challenges here in Afghanistan. Even though this is Dima’s first deployment to Afghanistan, this is not his first deployment overall.
“I have two prior deployments to Kosovo.” There “we helped with crowd and riot control, guarded court houses and civil service centers, manned cer-tain high profile checkpoints, protected certain facili-ties along the new border separating Kosovo and Serbia, and provided escort of war criminals,” Dima said. What the Gendarmerie does back in Romania compared to here in Afghanistan is quite different. “Back in Romania I provided training to my subordi-nates, but I also do police work. In Afghanistan I am an LNO between my other Romanian colleagues and I also help with training the ANP by providing the proper programs of instruction and ensuring they are being adhered to,” said Dima. Working in Afghanistan has presented a unique opportunity to work with coalition forces for Dima, primarily with US forces at RSC-South. “It has been a great experience for me, I love working with members of other countries. I also find working in the international environment appealing due to learning new things, meeting new people, and us-ing my own personal experiences to help with the mission here,” said Dima. Being in the Gendarmerie presents opportuni-ties to travel, and after this assignment is over Dima would like to continue serving his country, visiting remote locations. “I would go anywhere in the world if it was in the interest of the Romanian Gendarme-rie, Romania or other international institutions Ro-mania is part of. However, being that I have been to Europe and Asia, I would like to go to Africa and help the people there,” said Dima in conclusion.
10
KABUL, Afghanistan – Representatives from
the Afghan National Army assumed the responsibili-
ties of operating the Chimtallah National Ammunition
Depot Sept. 16, during a ceremony that took place at a
newly built bunker.
Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters, Deputy Com-
mander of Support Operations, NATO-Training Mis-
sion-Afghanistan represented the coalition during the
official signing of the transition documents, and Brig.
Gen. Abdul Basir, ANA logistics commander, at-
tended and signed the paperwork representing the Af-
ghan Ministry of Defense.
The staff at the depot, with the help of ammuni-
tion mentors and trainers from Regional Support Com-
mand-Capital, trained for months to prepare them-
selves for properly operating the facility, said Air
Force Master Sgt. Candice D. James, the senior mu-
nitions advisor from RSC-C. Oversight from the
trainers however will not come to a screeching halt,
she added. “We will support them for the next 101
days,” James said. “If they have any questions, we
will help them out.”
James has worked closely with the ANA staff
during the past ten months, to bring the transition
process to fruition. The ceremony actually occurred
just one day before she was scheduled to depart from
Afghanistan, and she was very happy that she was
able to be a part of such an important milestone
event.
“I started with the bare minimum and worked
my way up,” said James. “They have come a long
way; they can do this, they have great leadership. I
am very proud to pass this on to them and let them
run their own facility,” she said.
Afghan National Army Col. Ghulam Quadir Na-
siri, the ammunition director of the ANA’s Logistics
Command thanked coalition partners for their help
with the facility during his speech. “Everything you
see here today happened with the help of the coali-
tion,” he said.
Basir followed suit, praising the coalition part-
ners not only for what they have done for the Chim-
tallah Ammunition Depot, but also for expanding
ANA fuel storage capacity in the Kabul region and
assisting with the medical supply warehouse and
other warehouses in the national capital area. “This
ceremony today represents the hard work and dedi-
cation of the Afghan soldiers at the Chimtallah Am-
munition Depot, and the hard work and dedication of
the mentors and advisors of RSC-Capital,” said Le-
Masters during the ceremony. The buildings are just
the shell, it is teamwork and dedication what makes
this facility function, he said.
Basir thanked the coalition and the US taxpay-
ers in particular, for their help to his country. “The
US is spending taxpayer’s money on developing the
ANA, but on the grand scale of things, it is one na-
tion, the United States, helping out another, Af-
ghanistan, and we are very thankful for this help.”
ANA takes over operations at Chimtallah ANA takes over operations at Chimtallah ANA takes over operations at Chimtallah National Ammunition DepotNational Ammunition DepotNational Ammunition Depot
By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMBy Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMBy Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM---SPO/NTMSPO/NTMSPO/NTM---A PAOA PAOA PAO
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basir, the commander Afghan National Army's Logis-
tics Command, signs transition paperwork assuming responsibilities
for the Chimtallah National Ammunition Depot Sept. 16, in Kabul,
Afghanistan as his Ammunition Director, Col. Ghulam Qadir Nasiri
looks on from the background. It took months and months of hard
work from both sides to arrive to this historic mile marker and transi-
tion over the modern storage facility. The trainers and mentors will
continue to look on and provide support, with lesser and lesser roles.
U.S. Army photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO
11
KABUL, Afghanistan – The Op-
erational Contracting Section under the
Deputy Command of Support Opera-
tions in NATO Training Mission-
Afghanistan held a contracting class
for ANSF personnel, Sept. 8 –12 at the
Afghan National Army’s Logistics
Command.
The class was the first of its kind
for the Afghan partners, allowing the
instructors to obtain valuable feedback
on the Contract Acquisition Advisory
Team (CAAT) program of instruction
(POI) developed by the DCOM-SPO
and acquisition advisers from the Dep-
uty Commands of Police and Army
under NTM-A.
In February of 2012, an adviser in
the Afghan Ministry of Defense Ac-
quisition Technology and Logistics
Directorate identified the issue of not
having enough transparency in the Af-
ghan contracting systems, said U.S.
Army Master Sgt. Saalih K. Muzakkir,
the senior enlisted adviser for DCOM-
SPO’s CAAT training team. As a re-
sult, he received instructions to de-
velop a POI for a contracting overview
class.
“Each class represented a differ-
ent aspect of the procurement process,”
said Muzakkir. “We contacted the Af-
ghan Ministries of Interior and De-
fense and asked them to send some
qualified participants to the class, and
at the end we had between seven and
12 participants each day, learning the
contracting process from identifying
the need for a service or item all the
way up to supervising the contract
once it is awarded.”
“I am very pleased that I got to
participate in this training,” said Af-
ghan National Army Junior Capt. Ab-
dul Karim Muttaki through an inter-
preter. He added that he is happy that
the U.S. is transitioning more to the
Afghan National Army and he was
eager to participate in the training to
learn how to handle future tasks. “I am
a logistician in my unit, that is why I
was chosen,” Muttaki said. His unit
expects him to share his experiences
with others in his section once he re-
turns to them.
“I have a lot of experience in con-
tracting already,” said Mr. Nazim, a
civilian employee of the MoD. “What I
was able to gain from this class was
something unique and new to me. I am
going to be able to go back to my of-
fice, implement things I learned here
and I will become a much better con-
tracting officer,” Nazim said.
Afghan National Police Sgt.
Ahmadzai Quadratullah was also
happy that he was given the opportu-
nity to participate in the class. He ex-
pressed his thanks, starting off his by
saying, “If you will allow me please, I
would like to thank the instructors for
the class.” He, too, is a logistician who
is looking forward to using his newly
acquired knowledge.
“We are forward looking and for-
ward thinking… and want to improve
ourselves” said Nazim. “We are keen
on implementing everything we
learned here from A to Z.”
Nazim said he was very pleased
with the subjects covered in the class.
“We started identifying the needs,
went through authorities and toward
the end discussed the laws and ethical
rules governing contracting,” he said.
Muzakkir thinks their training was
well-received. He found his students
energetic and enthusiastic. They were
“really open to the ideas and concepts
we were presenting.” Muzakkir hopes
that the training they provide in a small
way will be beneficial to the Afghan
people and economy, moving the
country forward, building a better Af-
ghanistan.
Afghan National Security Forces participate Afghan National Security Forces participate Afghan National Security Forces participate in pilot class for contractingin pilot class for contractingin pilot class for contracting
By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMBy Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOMBy Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM---SPO/NTMSPO/NTMSPO/NTM---A PAOA PAOA PAO
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Saalih K. Muzakkir, the senior enlisted advisor for the Contract Acquisi-
tion Advisory Team in Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-
Afghanistan shows the financial regulations pertaining to contracting and acquisitions to
participants of a contracting class test-run Sept. 12 at the Afghan National Army's Logistics
Command in Kabul, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO
12
Coalition members organize film festival to build morale By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO
CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan – Mem-
bers of the headquarters element of Dep-
uty Commander of Support Operations
under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
held a film festival to boost morale on
Sept. 2.
The idea for the festival came from the
Cannes Film Festival, an annual interna-
tional event that takes place in a scenic
seaside town in the South of France.
Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr.,
DCOM-SPO, set strict rules for the entries.
Film clips had to be in good taste, and
were judged on costume and scenery, spe-
cial effects, the number of staff members
participating, acting abilities, and the ac-
curacy of re-enactment. The audience also
gave some input by clapping up a storm
for the popular vote scores. Festival organ-
izers showed the original movie clip before
playing their three to five minute re-
enactment piece.
Participants welcomed the film festival.
“I think it builds good cohesion and it’s a
good distraction from all the work we
currently have going on,” said U.S. Army
Sgt. Irene Lopez, a human resources spe-
cialist with the personnel section (J1) of
DCOM-SPO.
The re-enactments showed included
the following movies: ‘The Wizard of Oz,’
‘Talladega Nights,’ ‘Monty Python and the
Holy Grail,’ ‘Office Space,’ ‘The Color Pur-
ple’ and ‘We Were Soldiers.’
“We chose to re-enact ‘Talladega
Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,’ because
it is a favorite of several people in the J3
(current operations) shop,” said U.S. Army
Maj. Joshua Johnson, the officer in charge
of the logistics common operating picture
within J3. We also thought it would be
easy to re-enact the “baby-Jesus” prayer
around the table scene, said Johnson, who
played Cal, Ricky’s best friend and team-
mate from the movie.
Lopez and her office chose to re-enact
‘The Wizard of Oz’ scene where Dorothy is
welcomed to munchkin land. Lopez said
they just recently received their first coali-
tion forces co-worker from Belgium, and
the section found it fitting to do this part
of the movie to welcome their new addi-
tion.
Being in a deployed environment, one
13
Coalition members organize film festival to build morale By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO
has to be inventive when it comes to cos-
tumes and props for a movie shoot. Actors
were seen wearing anything from trash
bag tutus to wigs made out of mop heads.
“For the costumes, we used different
levels of the physical fitness uniform and
winter gear to imitate the different NAS-
CAR jackets,” said Johnson. “We then
printed off some brand name logos and
taped them to our outfits to represent
sponsors.”
Johnson also explained that his crew
did several takes and then edited the best
scenes into one fluid
movie “to highlight
the incredible acting
abilities of our su-
perior staff.”
The first four
best performances
received winner’s
cups that are re-
awarded each
month to the sec-
tions that distin-
guish themselves in
the current month’s
morale building event. The fourth place
cup went to J5 (future operations), the
third place cup to LogOps (logistics opera-
tions), the second place to the combined
efforts of the J3 (current operations) and
J2 (intelligence) sections and the winner of
this months challenge is the combined staff
sections of J1 (personnel), J4 (logistics),
J8 (resource management) and the secre-
tary of joint staffs.
“I am very glad that we won, because
we put a lot of effort into it,” said Lopez
in conclusion.
The winners of the Deputy Commander of Support Operations Film Festival pose for a photo with their
trophy at the Camp Eggers clamshell Sept. 2. The winning team came from the personnel, logistics, re-
source management and secretary of the joint staff sections of DCOM-SPO. They entered the contest with
their re-enactment of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO PAO
14
RLSCRLSCRLSC---SE Keeps 203rd Thunder Corps RollingSE Keeps 203rd Thunder Corps RollingSE Keeps 203rd Thunder Corps Rolling
By Maj. Scott C. Hammond, Regional Logistics Support Command Southeast Senior AdvisorBy Maj. Scott C. Hammond, Regional Logistics Support Command Southeast Senior AdvisorBy Maj. Scott C. Hammond, Regional Logistics Support Command Southeast Senior Advisor
FORWARD OPERATING BASE (FOB)
THUNDER, Afghanistan – On June 20, the Regional
Logistics Support Command-Southeast (RLSC-SE)
Maintenance Company (Tolai) began moving into
their new motor pool on FOB Thunder and by July 3,
they had moved in and were anxious to begin repair-
ing RLSC-SE vehicles.
Since April 23, the RLSC-SE has completed 19
CLPs (Combat Logistics Patrols), distributing supplies
to the 203rd Corps’ four remote brigades of the Afghan
National Army at FOB Parsa in Khost Province (1st
BDE), Sherana in Paktika Province (2nd BDE), FOBs
Vulcan and Sultan in Ghazni Province (3rd BDE) and
FOB Shank in Logar Province (4th BDE). One hun-
dred percent of these CLPs were completed by the
RLSC-SE without coalition forces assistance. In all,
since completing their first convoy on April 23, the
RLSC-SE has logged over 795,700 miles, travelling
through the heart of the country.
“What is the first thing that needs to be accom-
plished in Afghanistan to sustain the fight?” asked
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Kenneth Hood, the non-
commissioned officer senior advisor to the RLSC-SE
recently. “It’s a great maintenance program. The rea-
son why I say this is because the RLSC-SE has run 19
combat logistics patrols without any interruption, so
that has allowed the combat soldiers to perform their
jobs and win,” Hood added.
Throughout July and Aug., the RLSC-SE Mainte-
nance Company has continued to maintain their own
fleet of ‘Internationals’ (seven-ton cargo trucks),
Humvees and Rangers, thereby enabling the sustain-
ment of the 203rd Corps through distribution convoys.
Moreover, despite the waiting for the first 60 of the
132 authorized civilian mechanics to fill positions,
RLSC-SE began completing maintenance on 203rd
Corps vehicles on Aug. 25. This is the first step
in the process of turning over general support level
maintenance from contractors to RLSC-SE Mainte-
nance Company. It represents a huge milestone for
the RLSC-SE, as well as the combat logistics for the
Afghan National Army as a whole.
“In the past four weeks, we have completed 25
vehicle maintenance work orders for the 203rd Corps,”
said ANA Capt. Zebullah the RLSC-SE Maintenance
Company commander.
U.S. Army Capt. Randal W. Myers, the RLSC-SE
Support Operations mentor shared that “The RLSC-
SE is eager and ready to start repairing even more ve-
hicles in order to strengthen the 203rd Corps and the
Afghan National Army!”
Regional Logistics Support Command – Southeast Maintenance Com-
pany commander Capt. Zebullah supervises his mechanics as they
repair a 203rd Corps Ford Ranger at the Regional Logistics Support
Command – Southeast - Gardez Motor Pool. Sept. 3rd. U.S. Army
photo by Capt. Randy Myers
15
Regional Support Command-Southwest
conducts quick reaction drills
By Bill Putnam, RSC-SW PAO
RIGHT: U.S. Army Spc. Bryan Hergesell, left, talks with Sgt. Der-
rick Miller on how to draw his M9 Beretta pistol during a Quick
Reaction Drill range at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province,
Afghanistan, Sept. 19, 2012. Hergesell is an infantryman with
Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment, Ala-
bama National Guard, and a police officer in Alabama when not
mobilized. Moore is a logistics advisor with Regional Logistics
Center, Regional Support Command Southwest, NATO Training
Mission Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Bill Putnam
LEFT: U.S. Army Maj. Dave Woods shoots his
M9 Beretta pistol during a Quick Reaction
Drill range at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand
Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 2012.
Woods is the officer in charge of the Re-
gional Logistics Center, Regional Support
Command Southwest, NATO Training Mis-
sion Afghanistan. The range was conducted
to make sure NTM-A personnel were trained
and prepared to react to active shooter sce-
narios that could occur during their advisory
mission to the Afghans. Service members
went through dry fires before shooting
rounds during their combat shoot drills at
targets from varied distances. U.S. Army
photo by Bill Putnam
RIGHT: Service members po-
lice up brass shells at a range
after conducting quick reac-
tion drills at Camp Leather-
neck, Helmand Province, Af-
ghanistan Sept. 20, 2012.
Participants went through
possible scenarios. The two-
day event culminated in a
stress-shooting lane where
service members had to run
to walls and change maga-
zines then acquire targets at
different distances . U.S. Army
photo by Bill Putnam
16
ANSF trains side by side to learn ANSF trains side by side to learn ANSF trains side by side to learn maintenance skillsmaintenance skillsmaintenance skills
By US Air Force Maj. By US Air Force Maj. By US Air Force Maj. Matthew Berridge , 4Matthew Berridge , 4Matthew Berridge , 4ththth RLSC Senior Maintenance Advisor RLSC Senior Maintenance Advisor RLSC Senior Maintenance Advisor
CAMP SHAHEEN, Mazar-e-Sharif - Who says that the Af-ghan Ministry of Interior and Af-ghan Ministry of Defense can’t work together? The Soldiers of the 4
th Regional Logistics Sup-
port Command and the police of the 6
th Brigade, Afghan National
Civil Order Police (ANCOP) are proving all the ‘ney’-sayers wrong. These Soldiers and Po-licemen are learning, side by side, how to be mechanics while training in an Afghan National Army third line maintenance unit.
This trial program was the culmination of a series of meet-ings between ANCOP mentors and the Logistics Training Advi-
sory Team – North during the month of Ramadan. ANCOP has no formal training program for its mechanics and its opera-tions were suffering from a lack of vehicles. The team decided to broach the subject with the 4
th
RLSC Maintenance Company commander to determine the feasibility of mixing police with soldiers. ANA Major Milang thought it was a good idea and allowed us to bring the police into the EMS shop for training with ANA soldiers. The class arrived on the first day after Eid, and we held our breath and watched.
Before the class started, some mentors were concerned
about possible friction between the two organizations. Our hur-dle was easily cleared by AN-COP themselves; when the lieu-tenant in charge broke the team up and placed each ANCOP with a team of ANA.
This is the way they have worked for the past three weeks, and the only way to tell them apart is by their uniforms. They laugh and joke together on break, the sit together in class, about the only place they don’t sit together is lunch; allowing ANCOP to go to the dining facil-ity is one of a small number of administrative hurdles we are still fighting through.
As this trial program contin-
ues into its fourth week we can
only be amazed at the ability of
the soldiers and police to merge
into one team. At the floor me-
chanic level these guys are the
same, just trying to learn how to
do a job. The ANA Maintenance
Company XO stated that the
ANCOP have progressed rap-
idly, starting with no real abilities
to now being able to change oil,
rotate tires and some other ba-
sic services.
In two weeks we will evalu-
ate the program to see if we can
add additional ANCOPs to the
program, and turn our equip-
ment maintenance site into a
true joint training center.
US Air Force Maj. Matthew Berridge and US Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Morris, both Regional
Logistics Support Command maintenance advisors pose for a group shot with Afghan Na-
tional Army and Afghan National Civil Order Police personnel at Camp Shaheen, in Mazar-e-
Sharif, Regional Support Command-North in early September, 2012. Courtesy Photo
17
Soldiers from 13th ESC celebrate unit’s 47th Soldiers from 13th ESC celebrate unit’s 47th Soldiers from 13th ESC celebrate unit’s 47th
birthday in Afghanistan with teammatesbirthday in Afghanistan with teammatesbirthday in Afghanistan with teammates
By Capt. Monika Comeaux, 13th ESC PAO
Command Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Parham, the senior noncommissioned officer of
Deputy Command of Support Operations and the 13th Expeditionary Sustain-
ment Command, Spc. Ariel Gallarzo, an ammunition handler and the youngest
deployed Soldier of the 13th ESC, Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters, DCOM-SPO
and 13th ESC commander and Lt. Col. Ronald Jack, the chief of the Fuel and
Ammunition Assistance Team within DCOM-SPO and the oldest deployed
member of the 13th ESC, cut a cake to celebrate the 47th birthday of the
CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan – Service
members from the Deputy Command of Support
Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
came together Sept. 24 to celebrate the 47th Birthday
of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command
here.
Although most service members serving in
DCOM-SPO were deployed individually, 136 of the
US Soldiers in the command come from the same
unit, the 13th ESC.
Participants bowed their heads while one of the
13th officers lead them in prayer, watched a short
video about the unit’s history, and Brig. Gen. Clark
W. LeMasters, DCOM-SPO and 13th ESC com-
mander gave an address before cutting the birthday
cake. “I am not here to only celebrate the heritage of
the unit that some of us deployed from; I am here to
celebrate the accomplishments of everyone in
DCOM SPO,” said LeMasters.
“We have every service except the Coast Guard
within our ranks. We have 23 troop contributing
nations within DCOM-SPO. You handle infrastruc-
ture, you handle network development, and you han-
dle logistics. Our Afghan partners are getting better
in logistics, they are getting better in sustaining
themselves,” complemented LeMasters his team.
Following traditions of military cake cutting,
the commander asked the youngest and oldest de-
ployed 13th ESC Soldiers, Spc. Ariel Gallarzo, an
ammunition handler, and Lt. Col. Ronald Jack, the
chief of the Fuel and Ammunition Assistance Team
within DCOM-SPO, to assist him and Command
Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Parham to cut the cake with a
sword.
“It was a pretty celebration; I wasn’t expecting
such a good outcome,” said Shannon K. Armant, Jr.,
the J4 (logistics) noncommissioned officer in
charge. Armant has been with the unit since July of
2011. He assisted with organizing the event, helped
with the set up and teardown. It is not easy to get a
cake in Afghanistan, but with the help of the Camp
Eggers dining facility, the unit got to celebrate with
a cake that fed all attendees and bore the unit’s col-
ors. Deployed members of the 13th ESC only have a
little over two months left before they re-unite with
the rest of the unit at Fort Hood, and if still with the
unit, all should get to celebrate the unit’s 48th birth-
day next year stateside.
Members of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command also held an
early birthday celebration at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Aug. 11.. Courtesy photo
18
From around the battlefield
Camp Eggers participants cross the start line Sept. 14 during the Terry Fox run. Participants of the fundraiser had the choice be-
tween a 5K or a 10K run. The Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan, H.E. Glenn V. Davidson personally opened the run and ad-
dressed the crowds, reading a note from the sister of the late Terry Fox. Photos by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO
Congratulations to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dana Williams, who
got promoted on Sept. 4. His family participated in his promotion
ceremony via video teleconferencing.
While you were out… Command Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Parham, the 13th Expe-
ditionary Sustainment Command Gnome has paid a visit to your office.
Don’t worry, he did not take any of your coins, just wanted to see what it
feels like sitting in the chair of the senior non-commissioned officer of
the Deputy Commander of Support Operations and the 13th ESC.
19
From around the battlefield
Congratulations to Capt. Runnie Pender , who got promoted to cap-
tain on Sept. 8. Since he is a Dallas Cowboys fan, he could not leave
them out of his ceremony as depicted on the backdrop. His family
also participated via video teleconference.
Capt. Liz Reyes runs up Gator Alley on Sept. 3, during the Camp Eggers Labor Day 5K run. Reyes participates in almost every race put on by
the Morale, Welfare and Recreation team, and she often places during the runs. She won firs place amongst the ladies in this run.
Photos by US Army Capt. Monika Comeaux
Staff Sgt. Frank Bailey, the Deputy Command of Support Operations
J6 (automations specialist) participates in the 9/11 memorial run at
Camp Eggers. Running at the elevation of 5877 feet did not seem to
bother him.
20
Remembering 9/11 at Camp Eggers By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO