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KABUL, Afghanistan – In a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Jan. 8, the 207th Corps of the Afghan National Army and its partners celebrated the completion of the 1st Corps training range complex built in Afghanistan.
The training range complex, located at Camp Zafar, Herat, is the first of five being constructed for the ANA, according to Maj. Mark A. Lukasavich, engineer, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.
“The range complex accommodates training for all weapons systems within the ANA Corps,” Lukasavich said. “It includes eight specialized ranges for the 207th Corps to qualify and train its soldiers.”
Working with NTM-A/CSTC-A, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District-South awarded the $5.8 million contract to Omran Consulting, Construction and Engineering Company, an Afghan firm.
“This is the first completed corps training range complex in the country, and the ANA is excited to have it,” said Jennifer Zimmerman, ANA project manager, AES. “It’s a great opportunity for them and for us to set the precedent for construction of ranges.”
Attendees included Brig. Gen. Mohaidin Ghori, chief of staff, 207th Corps; Col. Anthony C. Funkhouser, commander, AES; Col. Brad Booth, commander, Regional Support Command West, Mahmoud Baligh, vice president, Omran and other distinguished guests from Camp Zafar and the surrounding area. Also attending were ANA, coalition forces, NTM-A/CSTC-A, and AES personnel.
The 25 lane range supports training for hand grenade familiarization, rifle, pistol, heavy machine gun, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar qualification. Two additional areas allow soldiers to train in urban assault, fire and movement and modified urban combat operations. The complex also includes an unexploded ordinance demolition pit.
The construction contract was awarded in June 2009, and the complex was completed ahead of schedule, Zimmerman said. Omran has averaged 255 workers on site daily, plus subcontractors.
“The requirements went through many iterations and reviews with the ANA, mentors, advisors and range experts,” said Lukasavich.
AES is planning on constructing the other four ranges at the 209th Corps at Mazar-e Sharif, the 203rd Corps at Gardez, the 201st Corps at Gamberi and the 205th Corps at Shorabak Districts.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2011 20:02 |
| Story ID: | 63584 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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