1

TABEL OF CONTENTS: P.1&14: Small coalition team develops ANSF networks P. 2-­3: From our leaders P. 4-­5: TSS Shouz transition P. 6-­7: Deployment: for some, a family affair

lice Corps graduation P. 9&12: Featured coalition partner P. 10-­11: Schützenschnur P. 13: RSC-­Capital communi-­cations equipment training P. 15: Camp Shaheen barracks transfer P. 16-­17: From Trash to Treas-­ures;; massive cleanup initia-­tive creates space, recoups tax-­

P. 18-­19: Around the battle-­field

Inter nal newslet ter for our ser vice member s and famil ies . . .

Volume 1 , Issue 4

The SPO Times is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The SPO Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army. The commanding officer for NTM-A DCOM SPO is Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO Public Affairs Officer. Contact information: monika.comeaux@afghan.swa.army.mil, DSN: 318-237-0470, Cell: 070-681-8709.

August 2012 THE SPO-­TIMES

Small coalition team develops ANSF networks Story by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO PAO

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan Engineers who participated in the building of the Suez Canal likely look at the artificial waterway and think: I contributed to something long-lasting and I, in a small way, influenced history.

Coalition forces working in Afghanistan may feel the same way about their projects. One of these projects is building the Afghan National

See ANSF NETWORK on p. 14

A team of Network Support Operations professionals look over a network diagram to see where is the next fiber optic manhole can be found for inspection at Forward Operating Base Delaram, Afghanistan, in Regional Support Command-Southwest May 15. Courtesy Photo

2

From our leadership DCOM-SPO Team and Families,

As the month of August comes to an end, I am very proud of all of

our or should I say all of your accomplishments and I ask that you

remain vigilant as you continue to focus on the mission. Also

make sure you are taking care of your selves and those around

you.

I wanted to personally congratulate our service members

who have participated in and won various boards in the recent

past. It reflects great credit on you and on your leadership who

assisted in your preparations. Congratulations to CPL Jeffrey

VanDorn for winning the NTM-A Member of the Quarter for the

NCOs and congratulations to UT2 (SCW) William Bentley for be-

ing nominated the 2nd Quarter Sailor of the Quarter (NCO) and

congratulations to AM3 Kevin Wildner for being nominated 2nd Quarter Sailor of the Quarter. What a

great way to represent DCOM-SPO and your individual services!

We have some exciting events coming up in September and October, and I highly encourage

No matter how busy you are over here, do reach out to them and make sure they know how proud

you are of their accomplishments.

In the beginning of October, several base camps in Afghanistan will be holding a Shadow Run

for the Army Ten Miler. I know I will be participating in the Camp Eggers version. Who else is with

me? Think about it, how many people can say in the whole entire world, that they participated in the

Army Ten Miler in Afghanistan? I highly encourage all of you to sign up and participate. Remember,

ing un-

should be going around filming holiday greetings. Make the most of this opportunity and record a

greeting for your loved ones. Small things like this mean a lot when you are thousands of miles away

from each other!

Continue executing our plans and moving forward with the mission. You are writing history as

you teach, coach and mentor our Afghan counterparts bettering their logistics systems. Military his-

torians may once write about Operation Steel Rain, Keystone 9 or OP Selab and as you read it you

working and focused team. Keep up the good work!

Shona ba Shona! CSM Terry E. Parham Sr., DCOM-SPO/13th ESC CSM

3

DCOM-SPO/13th ESC As we close out August, you have made some great progress on our

focus areas and all those day to day issues that arise. Everyone of you have

shown great flexibility to adapt to the very dynamic environment. We are en-

tering the last few weeks of the Force Manning Levels reductions, as well as,

the normal rotations of people ending their tours. Keep working hard to ensure

that all our team-mates know what the priorities of work are and how your indi-

vidual sections priorities tie into the 13 Focus Areas. Here are a few big things

that you need to be aware of.

The logistics assessment process - AKA the Logistics Common Oper-

ating Picture or LCOP (Focus Area number one) is near completion. Each sec-

tion leader needs to ensure your people understand what the LCOP is about and

determine how you can provide information to make it more accurate or how

can you use the information provided to better accomplish your mission and

assess your progress.

J5 is leading our effort to set up a Senior Security Shura on Logistics. This meeting will involve senior leaders

from both the ANA and ISAF and focus on one of our 3rd Quarter priorities - ANSF Commanders must own their logis-

tics systems. This meeting will provide the senior ANA leaders a look at their national supply system, an overview of the

ANA organizations that contribute to supporting the Corps, a chance to meet the key players within the ANA logistics

organizations and a tour of the Central Supply Depot. Our goal is to energize the ANA Corps leadership's involvement in

the logistics system and improve communications from the Corps to the National Logistics system.

Logistics Operations is spearheading a Class IX (Repair Parts) campaign. Designed to analyze Class IX require-

ments, update Authorized Stockage Lists (ASL) and develop plans to increase the stockage levels of Class IX to over 90%

across the country. RSC-Capital is leading effort at the ANA Central Supply Depot, working to increase productivity and

improve the warehousing process. RSC-C is also working closely with the Central Movement Agency- the ANA's trans-

portation organization, to increase frequency of convoys. RSC-C's efforts tied together will improve the distribution ca-

pabilities of the ANA.

Logistics Operations, Fuel section is working closely with our ANSF partners to develop and implement a new

fuel distribution concept for the ANSF. Through weekly meetings with NTM-A and IJC elements to develop fuel re-

quirements and regional distribution plans, purchases of fuel metering and testing equipment, planning and information

sharing meetings with ANA and ANP- the DCOM-SPO Fuel team is bringing this extremely difficult concept to life.

NTM-A received endorsements from the senior level ANA and ANP leaders to move forward with this concept and we

expect to have the first of many Executive Fuel Committee meetings within the next few weeks.

We will continue efforts started last month aimed at improving ANSF Logistics reporting and distribution, as well

as, the work to finalize MOD 14 (supply requisition process) changes. These efforts along with the many other things

you are working on are making a difference each and every day. I ask you to continue to communicate across the staff

and with the RSCs on the projects you are working or the concepts you are developing - Horizontal and Vertical integra-

tion is what you will hear me call this effort. Always ask yourself and your team- "who else needs to know?". Remem-

ber the people closest to the problem have the best information - you must include them in the planning. As the concepts

become FRAGOs - the RSCs must review and provide input - in nearly every case, they will be executing the mission.

Remember we are all one team! BG Clark LeMasters, DCOM-SPO/13th ESC Commander

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Training Support site Shouz Transitions to Afghan Control Training Support site Shouz Transitions to Afghan Control Training Support site Shouz Transitions to Afghan Control By U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney, RSCBy U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney, RSCBy U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney, RSC---West/NTMWest/NTMWest/NTM---A Unit Public Affairs Representative A Unit Public Affairs Representative A Unit Public Affairs Representative

SHOUZ, Afghanistan Training Support Site (TSS) Shouz formally tran-sitioned to Afghan National Army (ANA) control at a ceremony held at the facility on Aug. 15. A delegation from the 207th Corps, the Regional Support Command-West command team and the key staff of contracted personnel who supported the base for the past few years attended the ceremony. Representing the 207th Corps was, ANA Lt. Col. Sadudin, G-3 Opera-tions Officer and members of the 6/1/207 Kandak (battalion). For the coalition, the RSC-W Transition Team led by U.S. Army Col. Keith Detwiler, RSC-W Com-mander, and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Mark Huston attended the event. Detwiler, speaking just before the Afghan flag was raised at the site said,

forces of the Afghan National Army and International Security Assistance Forces. This significant ceremony marks the con-

seen in the transition of training functions - where NATO trainers once trained Af-ghan recruits, it is now Afghan officers and noncom-missioned officers who are responsible for this train-ing. We are now transitioning sites and facilities so that the coalition contributions that are represented here may continue to be used in support of the Afghan National Army so it may continue to bring peace and stability to the people of Afghanistan." The facilities at Shouz were originally built at a cost of $4 million by the US State Department and were used as a concrete plant in the construction of Highway 1. After construction was completed, the site was gifted to the Ministry of the Interior, who turned the site into an Afghan Border Police (ABP) Training Center. The ABP Training Center was recently con-solidated with the Regional Training Center at Adras-kan, explained US Army Capt. Jeff Marsteller, ANA Operations Officer at RSC-W.

The 207th Corps was planning to build a facil-ity at a cost of $6 million at an alternate location from TSS Shouz. TSS Shouz was scheduled to be demol-ished at a cost of $1.5 million. The former com-mander of RSC-West, Col. Roderick T. Arrington, offered the site to the ANA 207th Corps, who decided that it would be a good location for two Companies from the 6/1 Kandak. This action negated the need to build a new site for the Kandak, saving $11.5 million in total costs, Marsteller said. Sadudin, also speaking before the flag raising

th Corps, I am very proud to say we are ready and fully committed to transition this facility to our control.

U.S. Army Col. Keith Detwiler, Regional Support Command-West commander and Afghan National Army Lt. Col. Sadudin, G-3 operations officer shake hands after tran-sitioning Training Support Site Shouz to full Afghan control in a ceremony held Aug. 15 at the site. Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney RSC-West UPAR

See TSS TRANSITION next page

5

I am very proud to have worked with our ISAF and coalition part-

Marsteller is also proud to see the facility transition and be-lieves the Afghans are ready to take

transition you wonder if the unit is ready. After having worked with the 207th Corps you can see how capable and eager they are to take the lead. Lt. Col. Sadadin and Lt. Col. Wajed of the 207th Corps are true professionals who have integ-

Marsteller sees this achieve-ment as a joint milestone for every-

culmination of months of work to ensure the Afghan Army is set up for success. When the Afghan flag was raised it truly became the sym-bol of a successful Coalition/

TSS TRANSITION

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers hoist the Afghan national flag symbolizing the transition of Training Support Site Shouz from the Regional Support Command-West (RSC-W) soldiers to the ANA partners Aug 15. Regional Support Command-West falls under NATO Training Mis-sion Afghanistan, which is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assist-ing the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sus-tainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014.Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney RSC-West UPAR

GOING-AWAY PRESENT British Royal Navy Lt. Cdr. Timothy Grimley recently left the DCOM-SPO team and Afghanistan. His father used to be a policeman. He or-dered a British police hat from home, similar to the one his dad used to wear, and presented it to Afghan National Police Col. Dashti during the last Phoneix Working Group they attended together. The badge on the helmet actually used to be-

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Deployment: for some, a family affair Deployment: for some, a family affair By Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - Some families have a son, daugh-ter, mother or father deployed, but for some, a deployment is a com-plete family affair. Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Latch, the mobility noncommis-sioned officer in charge, and Staff Sgt. Carmelita A. Latch, an inte-grations noncommissioned officer, both work with the Deputy Com-mand of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan at Camp Eggers. They

13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. Being a married Army cou-ple has both its advantages and dis-advantages, but the Latch family seems to latch onto the positives to help them through their second de-ployment together. there to talk to, which is really

helpful; it is always nice to have that moral support with you, no

tinued Carmelita A. Latch. The couple began and finished each

entire interview. They are together practically 24/7; being fortunate enough to be housed together. on the same camp, they would worry about each other constantly. gets on my nerves because he picks

getting mad at each other and have to be away from each other, we

one of those couples who function

said. The couple left three kids

back home, who they miss dearly: Loni who is 20, Rudy who is 19 and Lexi who is 11, said Carmelita A. Latch. Loni and Rudy are both house- sitting family homes in two different states. Loni attends col-lege full time in Virginia. Rudy has a full time job in Texas. Lexi is with her mom and grandparents, the Latches explained. Being the youngest, it is harder for her to deal with her dad being away, but she copes well, said Stephen Latch. trooper. This is the fourth deploy-ment that I have been on since she has been alive. She is getting kind of in the zone now where she un-

missing me a lot, normally I ei-ther ...send her a necklace or some-thing, she can look at, give her something that she can hold and

Stephen Latch.

Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Latch, mobility chief, and Staff Sgt. Carmelita Ann Latch, integrations non-

commissioned officer, both deployed in support

of Deputy Command of Support Operations un-der NATO Training Mis-sion-Afghanistan, pose

for a photo July 31, 2012 at Camp Eggers. The

married couple deployed from Fort Hood 13th Ex-peditionary Sustainment Command in December

of 2011. This is their second deployment to-

gether;; they try to stay on the same deployment

cycle by choice. Photo by

Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

7

The two older kids back in the United States shared their views via e-mail about not having either

miss them more than anyone could

-Allan Kaech Jr.,

me a sense of independence living on my own, with the sense of secu-rity that they will still be there for

deployed, is very hard. When I need to talk or need anything, they

daughter, starting her message with how having to talk about her par-ents being gone actually brings her to tears. She also misses the double dates she used to go on with her husband and parents, she said. The Latch family set some solid goals during this deployment to make time go by faster. They paid off most of their bills already and are saving up for their mid-tour leave. They have also been working

out here. He has done 20 college credits since we have been out here, I will have finished 25 college cred-its, and I have also raised my Gen-eral Technical score out here, so I am excited about that. We have ac-complished a lot here, and it has

Stephen Latch. Loni back home is also working towards a degree using

Her mom set an incentive to inspire

take her anywhere in the world when she graduated college. Now she wants to go to Greece, so I am

melita A. Latch with a broad smile. our part to get her ahead of life. I

Latch. The couple will take leave shortly to rest up a bit and enjoy the

Texas hunting season. They will keep their eyes on their goals not only for the duration of the deploy-

goal is to retire as a sergeant ma-

Latch.

ally that she has the potential. Obvi-ously I have a biased opinion, be-cause she is one of my most favor-

Stephen Latch. They both agreed that their biggest goal overall is to safely return to their children. As for tips how to survive in the military and on deployments as a married couple; they emphasized professionalism, trust, patience and communication. They also wanted to give a

know that mom and dad loves them

Congratulations to Staff Sgt. Andrekus, who recently re-ceived a coin and a letter of apprecia-tion from Brig. Gen. Stephen B. Leisen-ring, the DCG of CTSCSfor doing a great job as the Re-gional Training Center Laghman Contracting Officer Representative. Job well done!

8

Regional Support CommandRegional Support CommandRegional Support Command---West West West Change of CommandChange of CommandChange of Command

13 students in Inaugural Course

By U.S. Navy Lt. David P. Varney Regional Support Command-West/NTM-A Unit Public Affairs Representative

HERAT, Afghanistan The Afghan Na-tional Police-ated 13 female noncommissioned officers from its inaugural course at a ceremony held at Regional Training Center-West on Aug.9. More than 100 personnel attended the cere-mony, including several honored guests like Afghan National Police Gen. Sharifa from the Ministry of Interior, Maria Bashir, Appeals Court Prosecutor for Herat Province, and U.S. Army Col. Keith Detwiler, Regional Support Command-West commander, along with many Afghan National Police and Coali-tion Forces Personnel. The 16-week course at Regional Training Center-West, was the inaugural course for the Herat Region, and was designed to introduce leadership skills and advanced police tactics to experienced

all inclusive advanced skills instruction in profes-sional policing, police survivability, and first line supervisory skills to Afghan National Police gradu-ates of the basic 8-week Police course. Course Lead

vide students with the skills necessary to provide improved leadership to those under their supervi-sion, make them more of a valuable asset to their command and the ANP, as well as provide them the skills to operate with minimal supervision them-selves The course curriculum included instruction on first line leadership, criminalistics, logistics, con-flict resolution and advanced tactics such as move-ments and building clearing. Participants also learned advanced weaponry on machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, studied police law, women's rights in Afghan law, and advanced First

the Afghan National Police. When they go into homes, families prefer when female police officers go in first to speak with the families, and to search

Sharifa, a 33-year veteran of police and gov-ernment, congratulated the newly graduated officers, and emphasized the importance of their mission say-

shoulder) with our Afghan men and Coalition part-ners. As women, we need to help our country and

Maria Bashir, appeals court prosecutor for Herat Province, pre-

Corps Non-Commissioned Officer Course Aug. 9, 2012 at Regional Training Center-West, Herat Province, Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. April Wickes

See POLICEWOMEN on p. 15

9

Regional Support CommandRegional Support CommandRegional Support Command---West West West Change of CommandChange of CommandChange of Command

AU GU ST S FE ATU RE D COA L I T I ON

PART NER KAR L HABE L

from Germany

What unit was you assigned to and what position did you serve in before you came here for this mis-sion? Back home in Germany I work at the German Army Forces Command in Koblenz as a section head for train-ing and exercises. My sections task is to coordinate the army division training plans for pre-deployment train-

participation in national and multinational/NATO exercises above battalion level is also what we are dealing with. What is your branch? I am an armored infantry officer by trade. However, after having commanded a Panzergrenadier (motorized or mechanized infantry) Battalion ten years ago, I have worked for many years now in positions dealing with training and operations. Where do you live in Germany? My hometown is Limburg on the Lahn River in the state of Hesse, right between the cities of Cologne and Frankfurt. Limburg is an old medieval town with an almost 800-year-old cathedral. With its historic part of nicely renovated half-timbered houses, Limburg provides a lot of homely restaurants and cafes as well as mod-ern shops. My family and I enjoy it very much living there. You are the chief of staff for DCOM-SPO. How would you describe your daily activities for someone, who does not know a lot about the military? Like every military headquarters, DCOM-SPO consists of various sections that provide staff expertise and skill sets in different working areas required to accomplish given tasks and missions and to support the command-

hard work is done within the staff sections comprising of personnel management, training, logistics operations, planning, budget and finance and network support operations. How long have you served in your military? I joined the Germany army in 1979 and have served for 33 years. How long have you been in Afghanistan? My deployment started mid-February this year. My tour ends at the end of August. Have you deployed to other countries before? I f so, where, what did you do and how much time did you spend in the particular missions? This current deployment is my third one. I was twice on a mission in Kosovo before. The last time, in 2008, I

as a force advisor for the New Kosovo Security Forces. See COALITION on p. 12

10

German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency : SchützenschnurProficiency : Schützenschnur

Recently several DCOMRecently several DCOM--SPO personnel had the opportunity to qualify on German weapons, and many of them SPO personnel had the opportunity to qualify on German weapons, and many of them earned the gold, silver or bronze version of the badge, depending on how well they firedearned the gold, silver or bronze version of the badge, depending on how well they fired

What is the Schützenschnur? According to Wikipedia, Schützenschnur is the German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency and is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The decoration is awarded to German military personnel of all grades, but is only allowed to be worn by enlisted members. The German armed forces regulations point out, that "the Schützenschnur is a decoration for weapons profi-ciency for enlisted Soldiers." Officers can receive the award, although it is not currently authorized to be worn on their uniforms. Foreign military members also may be awarded the badge, the German military regulation on officers still ap-plies, permitting only the enlisted members to wear the badge. Section 29-19 part C of the AR 670-1 states the following: The German Marksmanship Award/Schuetzenschnur is authorized for wear only by enlisted personnel. Officers may accept, but may not wear the Schuetzenschnur. If author-

ized, personnel wear the award on the right side of the uniform coat, with the upper portion attached under the center of the shoulder loop, and the bottom portion attached under the lapel to a button mounted specifi-cally for wear of this award. The history of the Schützenschnur dates back to the Eighty Years' War where Spanish troops were ordered to hang any Dutch person who carried a mus-ket. Therefore Spanish musketeers began to carry

ropes which were often car-ried over one shoulder. Awarding a cord as a decoration began in the early 18th century in Prussia under Frederick William I of Prussia. With the reorganiza-tion of the Prussian Army under Gerhard von Scharn-horst the Schützenschnur became an official military award. The Reichswehr and later the Wehrmacht adapted the Schützenschnur as an award for proficiency in marksmanship. The award existed in 12 different levels

with different versions for infantry and armored troops. In 1957 the Bundesgrenzschutz introduced the Schützenschnur. A similar decoration existed within the East German National People's Army and the Bor-der Troops of the German Democratic Republic.

See SCHÜTZENSCHNUR on next page

11

Service members from the Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan walk back from checking their targets August 2 at a range near the Kabul International Airport. Photo by Sgt. Jason Gist, DCOM-SPO SJS

SCHÜTZENSCHNUR Classes / Grades

German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency in Bronze (Schützenschnur in Bronze) is awarded for shoot-ing with the rifle and the pistol and the machine pistol with at least two scores in at least bronze (medical service at least one score in at least bronze). The admissible categories of weapon depends on the branch of the service mem-ber. The category of heavy weapons (most commonly the machine gun) is not mandatory to earn the bronze badge. The rifle, pistol and machine pistol are the only weapons that require minimally score of bronze. German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency in Silver (Schützenschnur in Silber) is awarded for shooting by a service member with his designated "light" weapon (pistol, rifle or machine pistol) and one of the "heavy" weapons (machine gun or Panzerfaust) with all scores at least in silver. German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency in Gold (Schützenschnur in Gold) is awarded for shooting by a service member with his designated "light" weapon (pistol, rifle or machine pistol) and one of the "heavy" weapons (machine gun or Panzerfaust) with all scores at least in gold. The number of exercises depends on the chosen (or ordered) weapon and the grade of the badge. A member of the medical branch, for example, can reach the bronze badge by two exercises with the pistol. A paratrooper needs for the gold badge one exercise with the G36 rifle (or three with the G3 rifle) and two with the MG3 machine gun (or two with the Panzerfaust). The German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency in Gold is awarded with the number 5, 10, 15 etc. for annually retaking.

Capt. Nathan R. Field, from Regional Support Command-Capital under Dep-uty Command of Support Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan fires a German weapon Aug. 2 at a range near the Kabul International Air-port. Photo by Sgt. Jason Gist, DCOM-SPO SJS

Spc. Ariel Gallarzo, an ammunition specialist from Deputy Command of Support Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan receives his Schützenschnur certificate Aug. 2 at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan. Courtesy Photo

12

Where did you learn to speak English so well? I am not sure whether or not I speak English well. I try to survive and there is always space for improvement. I had English at school and there have been many occasions and opportunities so far to maintain my English throughout my army career. Do you speak any other languages besides English and German? Danish works quiet well since I lived and worked for a while in Copenhagen some years ago. I know a little French, not very much unfortunately, just enough to be able to order a delicious French wine and some good food on vacation in France. What is your favorite sport?

CER at some places in the world. Until the age of 30 or so, I used to play football in a team back home. At least, I think it came pretty close to football what we were doing there on the pitch every Sunday afternoon. Today I prefer going out for running as this is a good compensation to daily business in the office. Describe the experience of working in a NATO mission, with other coalition forces. As always in a multi-national environment, it is very inspiring of me to see how military professionals of other armies think about things and what processes and procedures they choose to resolve problems and accomplish tasks. Besides that, I very much enjoy to see how camaraderie works among Soldiers of so many nations like here at NTM-A. What new things have you learned during this mission? I learned a lot about logistics and I learned how much effort it takes to make others understand how an efficient and effective logistics system works. Further-more, I learned something about the Army staff process and procedures since all we do here goes along with these procedures. What new things do you think you taught others during your time here? Those US service members I worked with and who never worked in a multinational environment perhaps took some benefit from the some-times different view on how to run staff work. Anything you would like to add about your experiences here? I will take away a lot of useful experiences and benefits from this deployment. Learning never stops as you know and I actually put together my own little smart book with a variety of observations and notes I took throughout the past six months. Some of these will surely be very useful in my job back home too. But more importantly I would like to emphasize how much I appreciated working together with my comrades from the US, Australia, the UK, Belgium and Turkey day by day and shoulder to shoulder here at DCOM-SPO. It was a great time, thank you all!

COALITION continued from p. 9.

Germany army Col. Karl Habel, the chief of staff for Deputy command of Support Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan rides in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle June 25 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Habel tries to visit outlying areas when his boss goes on battlefield circulation, to personally get to know subordinate units and

third deployment during his 33-year-long military career, but only his first one to Afghanistan. Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

13

By Army Capt. Mark S. Haynes, RSC-Capital Unit Public Affairs Representative

RSC-Capital Conducts Communications Equipment Training for 78 Soldiers

CAMP PHOENIX, Kabul, Afghanistan -­‐ Regional Support Command-­‐Capital recently conducted in-­‐depth communications training for 78 Soldiers on Aug. 21. RSC-­‐Capital conducts weekly training to attendees on a different topic to improve skills in communications for missions the unit conducts on a daily basis. This week Karl Garrett, a contractor from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Marine Lance Cpl. Hernan Gallego were the subject matter experts regarding the Harris PRC 152 hand held radio which is used on missions throughout the Kabul area. Soldiers attending the training were taught everything from basic operations of the radio to detailed instructions on trouble shooting during missions. Each Soldier came away with a better understanding of the latest communications equipment fielded by the unit in an effort to be more self sustaining while on their missions.

Karl Garret, a site lead for communications systems install, repair and training, and con-tractor from Science Applications Interna-tional Corporation (SAIC) reviews the basic com-ponents and instruc-tions for a Harris PRC 152 radio system at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan Aug. 21. RSC-Capital holds weekly training for its troops on various topics to keep them trained and vigilant . Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Mark S. Haynes, RSC-Capital UPAR

Hernan Gallego, a U.S. Marine Corps

Lance Cpl. from New York, New York, Pla-

toon Communications Chief for Security

Forces at Regional Support Command-

Capital gives in-depth instructions on the

use of a radio system to a group of Soldiers

during communica-tions training at Camp

Phoenix, Kabul, Af-ghanistan Aug. 21.

Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Mark S. Haynes,

RSC-Capital UPAR

14

The one and only team in charge of this important development in the entire country of Afghanistan works under NATO

Deputy Command of Support Operations. They refer to themselves at Network Support Operations or NET SPT OPS for short.

We plan and execute installation projects at key Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police facilities to provide access to the Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Interior

Air Force Col. Craig N. Berg, the officer in charge of NET SPT OPS.

This includes installing all of the on-site wiring within and between the buildings, as well as the long-haul connectivity back to Kabul. This can be as few as one building for ten personnel, and as many as 2,300 personnel in the case of the Afghan National

All of the work is done by Afghan companies under individual contracts his section manages, he said.

Within NET SPT OPS there are actually three focus areas: Logistics Automation, Network Expansion and Network Support. Logistics Automation for example focuses in enabling the Afghan partners to conduct automated

Automation section manages and develops the STAMIS (Standard Army Management Information Systems) software and provides functional oversight and training for CORE IMSEE (a shipping, receiving and inventory management system), and Afghanistan Property

said Air Force Master Sgt. William C. Hebb, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Logistics Automation.

The NET SPT OPS team consists of 27 people in management positions. The actual work on the ground is done by Afghan companies under individual contracts, Berg said.

Our mission is to develop simple, survivable and sustainable networks in order to advance the command and control capabilities of the Afghan National Police

(ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA) by completing installation projects at all of the ANA and ANP

These locations are the Corps and Brigade headquarters for the ANA, which encompasses a total of 28 sites. NET SPT OPS also works on installation projects at the Regional HQ's (RHQ's), Provincial HQ's

(PHQ's), Operational Coordination Center - Regional (OCC-R's) and OCC-P's for the ANP, which means an additional 79 sites, Berg explained. His crew is a mix of U.S. military, coalition forces and civilians. Everybody brings something different to the table and for some, it is a new territory. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eszra Tanner from Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Fla., has always worked on actual computer systems during his career. Today he manages network

development contracts for the Afghan National Security Forces in the Capital and Eastern regions of

contracts, or money or bidding for

now has new tools to put in his toolbox an thinks that his experiences in Afghanistan will help him better understand the bigger picture even back at home, he said.

ANSF NETWORK

See ANSF NETWORK next page

Army Maj. Reginald Satterwhite, an officer in charge of Afghan National Security Forces networks support operations under Deputy Commander of Support Operations, inspects network cables at Forward Operating Base

Delaram in May of 2012. Courtesy Photo

15

Every day I learn some-thing new professionally and also in

said Albanian army Capt. Klodian Goirica, one of the officers dealing with logistics accountability within NET SPT OPS. Albania is a small country and a new member of NATO. Goirica is very grateful for the opportunity of being able to work in this mission and having the chance to take these experiences home with him. The most important lesson he learned from his

Goirica said.

NET SPT OPS encounters many challenges from the field . Some locations in the South only have Wi-Fi connectivity, which tends to be much slower than fiber optics, said Tanner.

Berg said there are no real challenges from a technical perspective, however there are

to be very creative with getting materials, personnel and tools to the site where the work needs to be performed. The folks here in Kabul, as well as the folks in the Regional Support Commands who work the projects at their level, have to work very hard to ensure security is thought about when they are

completing their missions as well as helping the contractor get to where

Just recently, NET SPT

OPS finished the installation of network infrastructure for the

Ground Forces Command and Joint Operations command in Kabul, said Tanner. The goal is to have a solid network in place for the ANSF by the end of 2014.

Gorica thinks that their

professional army and to a safe and secure country which will open the road to prosper[ity] and a great

ANSF NETWORK

Bashir reinforced that message to the graduates

Bashir went further, by challenging the women,

right, you need to go after your right - by constructing and securing your country. Afghanistan should not be

constructed only by men. Women need to contribute

after your right and show that we are free, go after it,

Also attending the ceremony was Detwiler, commander of RSC-

attend this great ceremony. Your service to Afghanistan will strengthen your bond with the com-munity. I thank you for your ser-vice, and for your commitment to

One of the graduates, ANP Sgt. Azeta Amiri, is well aware of the significance of her achievement,

dreams is to serve the people of Af-ghanistan, and to help families and

in homes. Before, with the Taliban,

bazaar, but now I can serve in the police as a noncommissioned officer for a better future, by securing the

POLICEWOMEN continued from p.8.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Carmi Casal, a finance specialist, presents a graduation certifi-

Aug. 9, 2012 at Regional Training Center-West in Herat Province, Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. April Wickes

16

Story by US Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO PAO

From Trash to Treasures Massive cleanup initiative creates space,

KABUL, Afghanistan The Todd Maritime Services Interna-tional site, an overflow lot and stor-age area used by both Afghan Na-tional Security Forces and coalition forces in Kabul has housed tons and tons of coalition scrap-materials, which piled up over the years, taking up lots of useful space in the yard. It was time for a cleanup and to turn trash into treas-ures! Since the site is shutting down in the near future, instead of moving the material from one loca-tion to another, we came up with a plan to turn it all in to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO), said U.S. Marine Corps

Capt. Matthew P. Beuchert, a logis-tics officer for Regional Support Command-Capital. When we explored the pos-sibilities of clearing away salvage-able materials in the yard and re-coup funds for the American tax payer, we did a lot of planning, said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Branton M. Joaquin, Supply and Services Branch Chief in Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. phase to the last truck, the process took three months. The salvage portion of the heavy lifting was two months of 12-hour days, with only

quin. The mission had multiple par-ticipants, including local Afghan contractors, members of RSC-Capital and of course DRMO. This type of mission was not new to the Defense Logistics

U.S. Navy Lt. Michael J. Nolan, the assistant officer in charge of DLA Disposition Services, Afghanistan and the officer in charge of the Dis-position Services Detachment in Bagram. oversees the responsible disposal of US equipment no longer needed in the battle space. Items with of-fensive and defensive capabilities are sent to one of our DEMIL

The harvest team who worked on the Todd Mari-

time Services International yard clean-up at Kabul

poses for a photo with a sign announcing they have harvested 1 million pounds

of coalition scrap during the summer months of

2012. The clean-up initia-tive came from the Deputy Command of Support Op-

erations and Regional Sup-port Command-Central,

both working under NATO Training Mission-

Afghanistan. The initiative came as the TMSI site will no longer used so instead of moving the scrap from

one site to another, it made sense to dispose of

it in an economical way. Photo by USMC Capt. Mat-

thew P. Beuchert, RSC-Capital logistics officer.

17

(demilitarization) centers for proc-essing, but other unserviceable items and scrap metal are sold to local contractors with the proceeds returning to the US Treasury. An-other collateral benefit of our scrap sales program is the positive im-pact it has on the Afghan economy, whereby entrepreneurial local com-panies can build thriving busi-nesses from the purchase and re-

Nolan. The life cycle of scrap re-moval consists of site assessment, if no DEMIL-ing is required then sorting the items into serviceable and unserviceable piles. Service-able equipment is either retained or goes to a retro sort yard, where it can be placed back into the supply system. With some exceptions, re-maining unserviceable material is sold to scrap contractors, in this particular case to Afghan compa-nies, explained Nolan. The logistics challenges in this particular operation at TMSI were making sure we only sal-

vaged equipment that belonged to coalition forces, organizing trans-portation and billeting for the De-

Services crew, organizing transpor-tation for the scrap metal and pro-tecting the truck drivers who partici-pated in the mission, Joaquin added. It was also difficult to find Afghan laborers to work on the mis-sion during Ramazan, added Beuchert. out, the process worked like a

The materials recycled at the TMSI site included unserviceable heavy equipment like hoists, backhoes and forklifts; unserviceable vehicle parts; furniture; warehouse racking; building materials and kitchen sup-plies, said Nolan. The scrap harvest also col-lected and sold 5,500 pairs of boots not wanted by the ANSF partners and 5,000 rolls of building insula-tion, said Beuchert.

When it was all said and done, over 1 million pounds of scrap was sal-vaged at TMSI, said Joaquin. sponsible disposal of military equip-ment and the proper handling of items that have military capability

said Nolan. He added that it is also

money. One of the intents of this particular mission was to show our Afghan partners that they can per-form similar operations on their

sion can be accomplished through-out Afghanistan in every region, [it] provides money back to the gov-ernment, clears storage space, and can create local jobs depending on how the Afghans contract the sup-port. Very simple, yet has high

Beuchert in conclusion.

An Afghan contractor checks scrap metal and boxes loaded on back up a contracted "jingle" truck at Todd Maritime Services International, a coalition-contracted shipping and receiving yard in Kabul in July, 2012. The metal and other coalition equipment was collected and sold with the help of the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office. The Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and within DCOM-SPO, Re-gional Support Command-Capital worked very closely with DRMO on the project in hopes of showing our Afghan partners how to obtain funds from old equipment and scrap materials. Photo by USMC Capt. Matthew P. Beuchert, RSC-Capital logistics officer

Contracted Afghan workers sort through metal shelves and wall lockers at the TMSI yard in Kabul in July, 2012. Photo by USMC Capt. Matthew P. Beuchert, RSC-Capital logis-tics officer.

18

From around the battlefield Right: Sgt. 1st Class

Tameka Horne (Right), a transportation manage-

ment coordinator promotes Sgt. Alondo Sowell (center),

also a transportation man-agement coordinator on

July 1 in front of Freedom House, on Camp Eggers,

Afghanistan, as Lt. Col. Aaron Hardy (Left), a logis-

tics support operations officer stand by during the

ceremony. All three work in the Logistics Support Op-

erations Section of Deputy Command of Support Op-

erations under NATO Train-ing Mission-Afghanistan,

and all three deployed from

tionary Sustainment Command.

Photo by Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

The staff of Kandahar Regional Military Hospital poses for a group-shot with Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr. during his visit Aug. 20. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

CPL Jeffrey VanDorn, a human resources specialist with Deputy Com-mand of Support Operations poses for a photo Aug. 25. VanDorn won the NCO of the Month Board on Aug. 14 at Camp Eggers and then won the Service Member of the Quarter Board on Aug. 24. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO

19

From around the battlefield AM3 Kevin Wildner, AOCS Aaron

Hargis and UT2 William Bentley pose for a photo Aug. 24 after Wildner and Bentley received recognition for being the Sailor of the Quarter on Aug. 8 at

Camp Eggers. This was a first-time selection for both. Wildner is a Navy aviation mechanic stationed at Navy

Operations Support Center in Youngs-town, Ohio. His hometown is Niles,

Ohio. Bentley is a utilities second class Navy Seabee. He is stationed at Sel-

fridge Air Force Base, in Detroit Michi-gan. He is originally from Jackson,

Michigan. They both work as an Af-ghan National Security Forces Fleet

Managers in the Deputy Command of Support Operations under NATO Train-ing Mission-Afghanistan, at Camp Egg-ers. They both give credit to Hargis for their success. When asked about their deployment experiences, Bentley said

warding having the opportunity to work

stated that the DCOM SPO Material Readiness Branch became his family

during the deployment. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM SPO/NTM-A PAO

Regional Support Command-South service members pose for a group shot with visiting Deputy Commander of Support Operations personnel Aug. 21 at the Forward Operating Base Lindsay Class IX yard. The yard is used to sort and process parts arriving for the Afghan National Se-curity Forces into Kandahar. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Monika Comeaux, DCOM-SPO/NTM-A PAO