By Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Votroubek
Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan – Who do you call when your communications equipment is broken? Until now, the Afghan national army couldn't get their equipment serviced in the field.
In the past, the ANA sent all broken tactical communications equipment to Kabul for repair, and waited. Now, with the help of Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan, the ANA has the Consolidated Maintenance and Training Facility to repair equipment, and train technicians to troubleshoot and repair it in the field.
The new facility sits opposite the dilapidated building where technicians used to maintain the ANA's 22,000 radios in two small, poorly-lit rooms, without regular electrical service or heat. According to the ANA's G6 director of maintenance, Col. Said Farooq, it lacked capability, and with ANA plans to add 8,000 radios, it was about to get worse.
CSTC-A's CJ-6 communications directorate recognized the need for a new facility in 2006. They also realized the new communications equipment being issued to the ANA was not being sustained. A national facility is still planned, but a near-term solution was needed. And now, a little more than a year later, the $750,000 facility is open.
The six maintenance shops at CMTF can perform depot-level maintenance for tactical radios, computers, telephones, mobile generators and transformers. They also have space for spare parts, test equipment, offices for directors and a conference room. A covered outdoor workspace enables technicians to install and repair radios in vehicles as well.
The chief of staff of the Afghan national army, Gen. Bismullah Khan, wanted more communications training at corps-level, which is exactly what the CMTF will provide. In its four classrooms, students will learn how to operate and troubleshoot every radio the ANA uses. The classes last up to six months, and the facility can train up to 1,200 technicians a year.
As a side note during the dedication ceremony for CMTF on Jan. 6, Khan presented a certificate of appreciation to Air Force Capt. Christopher Waddell for his work as a mentor to Col. Farooq. Knowing he was leaving Afghanistan the next day, the Afghan leaders wanted to show appreciation for his year-long tour.
The Afghans appreciated him for his hands-on and hands-off approach, depending on the situation. He helped them to streamline their processes and improve their maintenance practices, as well as finish their new facility. All the while he answered their questions.
"At first they hounded me every day: 'What is your plan?'" Waddell recalled.
But he didn't give them his own plans. As a mentor, Waddell believes his job is to help the ANA find their own.
"I tried to get them to think for themselves," Waddell said.
As the skill and number of ANA technicians improves, they'll gradually replace the few contracted civilian technicians and also support brigade level communications. There are also plans for a national maintenance center.
The ANA's communications maintenance is improving, and the technicians at CMTF are already answering the call.
| Date Taken: |
01.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
01.07.2008 14:16 |
| Story ID: |
15230 |
| Location: |
KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: |
298 |
| Downloads: |
235 |
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