AFCEE efforts include hopes of increased literacy in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Summer Allen
  • AFCEE Contingency Construction Division
KABUL, Afghanistan --  In addition to constructing a new basic military training facility for the Afghanistan Army, the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment is also building literacy classrooms. AFCEE engineers are building the 10 facilities on the Kabul Military Training Center for literacy instruction to help combat the nation's low literacy rate.

The KMTC, which will serve as the Afghan national army's basic military training, supports 19,000 trainees per year. This training complex will be a modern facility where soldiers are prepped and trained in warfare and tactical operations. It will also meet the soldiers' welfare, fitness and educational needs.

"It's just one of the ways we are helping to equip and train the Afghan military to sustain and protect its country," said Lt. Col. Anthony Dudley, contingency security branch chief. "A crucial part of training its Army involves education so that (soldiers) will not only be physically strong, but mentally as well."

At the project's initial design meeting, Afghanistan and Army officials recognized that a crucial part of the new KMTC's construction was to include classrooms where soldiers would learn basic literacy skills. Experts say the illiteracy rate for adults in Afghanistan is 57 percent for men and 87 percent for women.

"We are investing in the future of the Afghanistan people and their ability to provide for their own security," said Col. Terry Watkins, contingency construction division chief.

"AFCEE, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and regional contracting centers are each providing for this by constructing these much needed facilities to provide the infrastructure necessary to support a professional security force."

There are two ongoing construction task orders totaling $80 million for this training center. In the first task order, AFCEE contractors will build new barracks, administrative facilities, an obstacle training course, classrooms and a fire station among other base support facilities.

The second task order consists of literacy classrooms and a new visitor's center. The literacy classrooms consist of 10 independent facilities housing 12 classrooms each and will be capable of supporting up to 3,360 Afghanistan National Army personnel. The visitor center consists of administrative space, conference centers, a recreational lounge and a food and beverage area.

The new visitor's center is unique in that funding was donated by the country of Denmark specifically for this purpose. The building provides a designated facility for both visitors and families waiting to visit KMTC officials, facilities and soldiers. The facility may also be used to host official visits and functions. The structure will include prayer rooms, computer areas with internet connectivity, a television and media room, and an open terrace and garden. The project is roughly 15 percent complete and is expected to be finalized late 2011 or early 2012.