Ready First transfers major Kandahar City base to Afghan Uniform Police

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kristen Duus | Staff Sergeant Daniel Agriesti, a native of Venice, Fla., Spc. Joshua Twiggs, a native of Blue Ridge, Ga., and Spc. An Duc Le, a native of Orange County, Calif., lower their squadron colors at Camp Nathan Smith, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, July 31. The Soldiers, all from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, participated in a ceremony indicating the transition of CNS from U.S. forces to Afghan National Security Forces.  

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

07.31.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus  

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

CAMP NATHAN SMITH, Afghanistan-- The end of July did not just mean one less month for Ready First troops in Afghanistan, it also meant a major milestone in the transition of American forces out of the country.

The former brigade headquarters, Camp Nathan Smith, was transferred to the Afghan Uniform Police – one more example of the confidence the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has in its police and soldiers.

“CNS has served as a headquarters to ISAF forces for eight years, beginning in 2005 with Canadian forces and since July 2010 for U.S. brigades and the Department of State’s Provincial Reconstruction Teams,” said Col. Ken Adgie, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division brigade commander, and a native of National Park, N.J..

Capt. Job Freedman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, and a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, served as the camp mayor for six months.

“I coordinated … the transfer of the camp to the government of Afghanistan,” said Freedman. “We began the planning process in February and the execution in May. We had to make sure all of our equipment was recovered from CNS and we had to prepare all of the buildings and remaining equipment.”

The AUP, who took ownership already, had a quick reaction force at the camp, and they intend to move two more companies here, said Freedman. The Afghans also plan on making a school for women on the camp, as well as use all existing facilities, including laundry.

While basic infrastructures were left behind, including generators and a working fuel point, the AUP will be entirely self-sufficient at CNS, indicating the logistical support Afghans have for their own sustainability.

“It is now their responsibility to supply the camp so they can run those facilities,” said Freedman.

“Its location in the heart of Kandahar City allowed ISAF forces to quickly respond to enemy attacks during the early years (of the war); more recently as Kandahar City has become peaceful it purpose changed to a place for meetings to discuss city governance, developmental projects, and the training of policeman occurred,” said Adgie. “We will certainly miss our Afghan neighbors who lived near CNS, and the children who waved to us each day as they walked to school.”

“They [AUP] expressed how grateful they were for the help that American and ISAF forces have done for them in helping build up their country,” said Freedman. “They feel ready to take over the cSamp and continue the mission of securing the province of Kandahar and making sure it’s safe.”

A ceremony lowering the American flag and raising the Afghan flag was held July 31, with the handful of Soldiers who remained at the camp until the end.

“Camp Nathan Smith's transfer to the Kandahar Police is another great step forward for southern Afghanistan,” said Adgie.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2013
• Date Posted: 08.15.2013 22:52
• Story ID: 112064
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: ARECIBO, PR
• Hometown: BLUE RIDGE, GA, US
• Hometown: NATIONAL PARK, NJ, US
• Hometown: ORANGE COUNTY, CA, US
• Hometown: RIALTO, CA, US
• Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US
• Hometown: VENICE, FL, US