- Operation Enduring Freedom
Flying proud
A team of 10 Defence Force personnel is proving to be the epitome of tri-service cooperation in an Afghanistan-based deployment—Operation Enduring Freedom—that often passes unnoticed. The team has recently had its first snowfall, but the cold weather has not stopped the Kiwis doing what Kiwis overseas always seem to do—make themselves known to their neighbours, and have their presence felt.
The Bagram-based group of Kiwis is New Zealand’s National Service Element (NSE), and lives on a stark and sprawling Air Force base that is also home to about 32,000 coalition force soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians from throughout the world.
The NSE, which is on its 15th rotation, is the logistics hub responsible for all logistical support to New Zealand personnel posted to Afghanistan. As the Officer Commanding of the National Support Element (NSE), Major Rick Anderson puts it, "We’re here to support the Kiwis in Afghanistan any way we can.
CRIB 15 team at Bagram
"Providing logistical support in Afghanistan is challenging, but we’re determined to improve processes, speed up the logistics pipe, and like all Kiwi NSE teams, leave Kiwi Lines better than we received it. To that end we have extended the deck area, re-arranged the accommodation area, completely rewired Kiwi Lines, (thanks to tradesmen from the Provincial Reconstruction Team), and added two new 40 ft containers and an armoury. NSE can now manage more effectively the increased freight and mail that comes for the New Zealand military personnel within Afghanistan.
"Our coalition partners have in return been more than helpful, also introducing us to an array of specialist military equipment that makes life on operations safer and far more effective.
"But after four and a half months away from home, all of us at NSE Bagram miss our families and friends at home and can’t wait to return to New Zealand."
Corporal Eddie Louth, NZ Army
On top of things
I am here at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan working as a Supply Technician for the NZ NSE.
My job here revolves around supporting the NZ PRT based in Bamiyan Province, and at the same time providing support to the minor missions scattered around the rest of Afghanistan.
The work here is varied and something different is always going on. An average day can involve getting documentation from the Force Protection Unit to allow a vehicle onto the base, followed by the physical escort of that vehicle to a loading area. Then the vehicle has to be loaded, the paperwork completed, the container sealed and the vehicle escorted back to the gates.
The next day could be spent checking and restacking ammunition in preparation for a helicopter move. The third day could then involve a safehand task to some far-flung corner of the country. So you don’t get bored.
I have found that a deployment here can be thoroughly enjoyable and I am currently having the time of my life.
Corporal Dale Hartley, RNZAF
I am a storeman at Bagram NSE. My job involves uplifting and receiving inventory from local (US Military) and external sources and preparing the same for freight forwarding to our outer locations. While this sounds simple enough, here in the ‘BAF’ as it is referred to, it can be an extremely frustrating and time consuming task.
In the driver’s seat
A great deal of what I do is based on the ‘Brodem’ theory—a word that has evolved from our ‘routine demands’, and evolved to our ‘Bro’s’ who help us. Without this help, life could be very difficult for us.
Every supplier hopes to improve on what they inherited, and to make life a little easier for the next—it’s just what we do for each other. A significant improvement I have been able to make here is to the handling processes of our inventory by adding a fourth 20 ft container and separating out our inwards and outwards transit functions into individual containers. They are fully equipped with power, lighting and the inwards transit now has a standalone laptop and colour printer.
All of this was done via ‘brodems’ and the generosity of our coalition friends and contractors. A huge saving to the New Zealand taxpayer and all part of the job for a ‘Suppy’ posted to NSE BAF.
The job is full of variety and I never quite know what to expect next, but it is satisfying to know we are making a positive contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sergeant Stacey Holvey, RNZAF
Delivering mail
"I am the NSE Administration Finance SNCO, and this is my second deployment as part of an NSE.
My job in Bagram includes the day-to-day administration of all the personnel deployed to the Middle East (excluding the NZ PRT in Bamiyan); administering all finance matters; processing mail both around theatre, into theatre from home, and back to New Zealand. I have been fortunate to travel away from Base frequently and see a great deal of the region surrounding Bagram and Kabul. I have enjoyed my experiences in Afghanistan so far, and after a lot of mild weather we recently had snow so it actually felt like an Afghanistan winter. All that said, it will be great to eventually get back to New Zealand."
Chief Petty Officer, John Holding, RNZN
I am employed here as the Senior Supplier, with a team of two junior suppliers. Together, we look after all the logistical needs for our PRT in the Bamiyan Province and other NZ Defence Force personnel scattered around Afghanistan.
My job requires a close working relationship with the US Army and the many civilian organisations that are involved in Operation Enduring Freedom.The position I currently fill has many challenges that I have had to overcome. It requires long hours but also has allowed me to travel around many of the different provinces in Afghanistan.
As we are midway through our deployment, it has been very satisfying looking back at what we began with and what we have managed to achieve, both individually, as a team of suppliers, and as a whole unit.
Lance Corporal Kevin Kengen, RNZAF
Dishing it up
I am the Communications and Information Systems Technician (CISTECH) for the NSE at Bagram.
I look after the computers, networking equipment and satellite systems to allow the logistics staff here, and staff at the minor missions, to carry out their jobs. I also look after the NSE’s personal and vehicle mounted radio equipment and organise the repair of New Zealand units’ radios in theatre. My job involves liaising with several American units on the Air Base to ensure interoperability between New Zealand and Coalition Forces. And last, but not least—and certainly most important from some people’s point of view—I look after the satellite television and internet for us to keep in touch with family and friends back home—and watch the rugby.