AFCEE awards multi-phased construction project at Afghanistan's Camp Phoenix

  • Published
  • By Summer Allen
  • Air Froce Center for Engineering and the Environment
CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan --  The Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment recently awarded a multi-phased construction project at Camp Phoenix, Kabul Province, Afghanistan, to construct and improve 14 facilities there.

The programmed $39 million project consists of several phases and includes a new ammunition supply facility, a fire department, two-story administration buildings, a vehicle maintenance facility, a troop medical clinic, new barracks, transient quarters, a customs warehouse facility, a quick response facility, or a QRF, and a post exchange building.

The QRF is exactly as its name implies and houses items and equipment needed for a quick response. This facility will be built in accordance with security classifications and contain special vaults for weapons storage and other specialized compartments for mission critical operations equipment storage.

"A noteworthy aspect of this project is the new vehicle maintenance shop to be built and used to service all U.S. government vehicles as well as all corresponding equipment used in these vehicles. The equipment can range from standard military trucks, artillery equipment, to highly technical tracking devices used in tactical operations," said AFCEE project manager Alberto Rodriguez. "In a sense, we are building three buildings in one - a weapons storage facility, a command and control center for quick responses, and a vehicle maintenance shop."

In addition to new construction, a variety of improvements are planned on existing structures. One facility is the dining hall that will be expanded to include additional seating and more menu options. The project also includes making improvements to roadways such as: resurfacing and paving, pavement markings, tie-down/grounding, utilities, and all other necessary site improvements.

"The Camp Phoenix project is a big responsibility, but also a rewarding one because we are directly impacting the nation's defense capabilities," said Mike Prazak, AFCEE Contingency Construction Division chief.

Camp Phoenix is a U.S.-owned NATO military installation located in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is home to Task Force Hydra, which has the mission of supporting the Kabul Base Cluster and Combined Joint Interagency, and providing final governing authority over prison inmates.

The Kabul Base Cluster is a term used to describe the 11 bases within the region. Camp Phoenix serves as a command center for the bases within the KBC, which previously operated as separate units.

Ultimately, Camp Phoenix will be a more robust command center expanded to offer security, logistical and administrative requirements in one location.

"We are building the infrastructure and making improvements to facilities that are supporting and will continue to support our efforts in Afghanistan," said Lt Col Anthony Dudley, AFCEE CXM branch chief. "This is an investment into the future stability of the country and just one of the many ways we are contributing to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan."

AFCEE awarded the project late February and is scheduled for completion early 2014.