KABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – At Camp Blackhorse, a Canadian training team busily worked with over three hundred Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers. Carrying hammers, saws, and driving bulldozers, these soldiers were working to pass their final test at the Consolidated Fielding Center (CFC), training to become the new Corps Engineer Kandak that would provide construction support for the entire ANA 203rd Corps.
The 203rd Corps Engineer Kandak (CEK) is primarily a construction unit, to support the 203rd Corps in all manner of horizontal and vertical projects. As military engineers however, they still know how to fight. With their rifles loaded with blank rounds, their validation exercise at the CFC was two days of construction projects, all performed under war-time conditions. A group of Canadian trainers made up the opposition force, trying to stop the CEK soldiers.
“Their [non-commissioned officers] were taking charge of the training,” said 1st Lt. Shawn Dorman, from Weehawken N.J., assigned to Task Force Diehard. “The skills they are being taught here will carry over with them to FOB (Afghan Forward Operating Base) Lightning. The ANA non-commissioned officers will be able to train the new soldiers assigned to the CEK down the road.”
After a long nine weeks of preparing these new soldiers, the CFC held a graduation ceremony at Camp Blackhorse for the CEK on May 2nd. Originally they were going to move to FOB Lightning the next day, but under the guidance of Maj. Gen. Yaftali, 203rd Corps Commander, they delayed their movement five days to secure the movement of the Corps Signal Kandak. Both kandaks moving together allowed greater safety on their trek to their new home.
The CEK travelled to FOB Lightning early in the morning, taking advantage of the darkness. Once arrived, the ANA soldiers unpacked their belongings and equipment, and quickly prepared for their first inspection. Lt. Col. Wardak, the CEK commander, along with Brig. Gen. Raouf and Lt. Col. Rosool, the chief of staff and public affairs officer respectively, walked through the barracks and motor pool, ensuring they were cleaned and properly prepared.
As the last of the ANA soldiers were leaving Camp Blackhorse, one turned and called back to their former instructors, “Visit us after we’ve built something!”
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2013 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 107204 |
| Location: | KABUL PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 360 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Afghan 203rd Corps Engineer Kandak completes final test, ready for operations, by 1LT Tyler Dovel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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