Construction projects some of best, general says

Published Feb. 5, 2014
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, right, talks with Regional Command-Southwest  Afghan National Security Force Infrastrucutre Development Officer in Charge U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Brian Longbottom at a newly-built  installation which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak facilities home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, right, talks with Regional Command-Southwest Afghan National Security Force Infrastrucutre Development Officer in Charge U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Brian Longbottom at a newly-built installation which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak facilities home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

The Armament Maintenance Building, built for the Afghan National Army's 215th Corps at Camp Shorabak, is one of the largest arched steel panel buildings in country. The 79 foot-wide, 548 foot-long, building includes machine storage, small arms repair, calibration room, turret repair, weapons cleaning, office space, storage, communications room, and welding, paint and machine shops. This building is part of an ANA installation U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials act as construction agents for, overseeing them in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance. According to Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, it is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

The Armament Maintenance Building, built for the Afghan National Army's 215th Corps at Camp Shorabak, is one of the largest arched steel panel buildings in country. The 79 foot-wide, 548 foot-long, building includes machine storage, small arms repair, calibration room, turret repair, weapons cleaning, office space, storage, communications room, and welding, paint and machine shops. This building is part of an ANA installation U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials act as construction agents for, overseeing them in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance. According to Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, it is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

The contractor added quality touches not required byt the contract, like tile instead of epoxy on seats and floors and shower doors instead of cheap curtains at a new Afghan National Army installation,  which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak facilities home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

The contractor added quality touches not required byt the contract, like tile instead of epoxy on seats and floors and shower doors instead of cheap curtains at a new Afghan National Army installation, which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak facilities home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre and Corps officials walk past wood burning cooking stoves in anAfgan National Army dining facility at a newly-built  installation which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak facilities home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre and Corps officials walk past wood burning cooking stoves in anAfgan National Army dining facility at a newly-built installation which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak facilities home. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak buildings home. These buildings are part of an ANA installation U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials act as construction agents for, overseeing them in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance. According to Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, it is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

The Afghan National Army's 215th Combat Logistics Brigade will soon call these Camp Shorabak buildings home. These buildings are part of an ANA installation U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials act as construction agents for, overseeing them in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance. According to Transatlantic Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, it is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Bill Dowell/released)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – In the remote district of Shorabak, situated in Helmand Province, is a newly-built Afghan National Army, or ANA, installation which according to Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, is some of the best construction he’s seen in Afghanistan.

Eyre has been involved with Afghanistan and Iraq reconstruction efforts for years. As the Transatlantic Division commander since April 2012, his staff helps the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Afghanistan District with their construction oversight mission. He toured the recently completed ANA 215th Corps Combat Logistics Brigade, or CLB, project Jan. 28, eight months since his last visit.

“We’re here to help build quality infrastructure projects so the Afghan Security Forces have places to live and train to be able to defend their country,” said Eyre. “The USACE men and women here and in supporting districts back home are working hard to complete them as the troop drawdown continues.”

The decision of what to build and where, isn’t the Corps. They act as construction agents, meaning they’re tasked and funded by agencies that do make those decisions. Once an agency identifies a need and receives congressional authorization and funding, the Corps is tasked to build the project. Corps employees contract and oversee construction in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance.

“It’s a difficult environment to build in,” said the general. “It definitely helps to have contractors we can count on to produce quality facilities.”

The original CLB contractor defaulted and the contract was put out for rebid. Turkish-headquartered Metag Construction Trade Co Inc., a project and engineering company, earned the estimated $25.6 million Shorabak contract. According to Eyre the company had issues when they first began building for the Corps in Afghanistan.

“Several years ago we had to really keep an eye on them. However, they’ve stepped it up and are producing some quality projects, like this one here,” Eyre said while surveying the site.

For Project Manager Eric Aubrey, Project Engineer Lori Gardner, Construction Representative Gary Desmarais and Afghan Senior Quality Assurance Representative Adress Hakimyar, having quality contractors helps. Each of them has many other projects they must shepherd.

At the CLB when issues needed correcting, the contractor was respectful and responsive, making his job easier said Desmarais. It wasn’t just correcting problems; the contractor added quality touches said Gardner. Adding tile instead of epoxy floors and shower doors instead of cheap curtains - things not required by the contract.

“Everything put in was quality and installed with pride,” said Gardner. “They take personal ownership of the project.”

For Hakimyar, as an Afghan, the project is personal, providing a stronger Afghanistan. He’s been working with the Corps for about six years and building a needed capacity. The Quality Assurance Representative, or QAR, program is something the Corps has been using for several years. Corps employees have access to the Shorabak projects, but some project areas are too dangerous and the Afghans, like Hakimyar, are trained to provide oversight at those. As the troop drawdown continues, the number of project sites Corps employees can access will diminish, making QARs even more valuable. In addition, they have a skill which can help build a stronger Afghanistan in the future, even without the Corps.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held earlier in January for the CLB and another project Eyre toured, a $13.5 million 215th Crops Headquarters Complex also at Shorabak. Speaking at the ceremony, 215th Corps Commander ANA Gen. Syed Malok said the facilities will help overcome building shortages for military personnel and streamline activities. Getting the projects are critical steps for the 215th, providing the last bits of tools they need to operate independently, the way International Security Assistance Force officials envision.

Helmand Province Deputy Governor Ahmad Massoud Bakhtawar said civilian and military foreign aid was effectively used in Helmand and believed Afghan forces are poised to defend their country.