KANDAHAR – Afghan National Security Forces at Camp Hero, Kandahar province, have taken control of 22 buildings on the site, which removes the buildings from the books of the national operations and maintenance (O&M) contract, funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The Combined, Joint Engineering Infrastructure Training and Advisory Group (CJ-ENG ITAG) along with the Construction, Property Management Division, Australian and Bulgarian advisory teams, USACE, and their O&M contractor ITT, have equipped, trained and funded the Camp Hero Garrison Support Unit Facility Engineer section to maintain permanent infrastructure.
This is the second set of buildings on Camp Hero to be transitioned from coalition to Afghan control. Seventeen other buildings were turned over July 1. The transferred buildings are designated by paintings of the Afghan flag next to each building’s front door.
The U.S.-built structures include dormitories, latrines, showers and storage areas. They have been and will continue to be used by the ANA’s 205th Corps.
“With help from the CJ-ENG ITAG, the 205th Corps has made significant progress with facility stewardship as it is the only ANA unit to have successfully taken responsibility for such a large percentage of their permanent facilities in Afghanistan,” said Maj. Michael Malone, ITAG Team Leader for Regional Support Command-South.
The 39 buildings constitute 28 percent of the structures on Camp Hero.
“We believe the transfers will set the trend for the coming years as the ANSF take a greater responsibility in stewardship of their facilities and the infrastructure that supports national security operations,” said Malone.
The transfer of the facilities will help save money currently being spent under the national O&M contract, and conserve contract capacity for future permanent building projects.
Forty-two more buildings are on track to be transitioned to ANSF control Jan. 1.