Life at the NZ National Support Element, Bagram
The New Zealand National Support Element (NSE) is based at Bagram Air Force Base (BAF) about an hour and a half (60km) drive north of Kabul. Their task is to provide logistical support to the NZ PRT at Kiwi Base in Bamyan and other NZDF personnel in Afghanistan.
Image. NSE staff at Bagram Air Field, late 2006.
A view from NZ PRT National Support Element – Bagram, May 2006
A small group of dedicated individuals make up the NZ National Support Element (NSE) based out of Bagram Air Field (BAF) in Afghanistan. Its main role is to support the NZ PRT with logistical and administrative support, everything from booking flights to and from Bamyan, procuring stores from the US military or overseas suppliers, to making sure that the Bamyan Welfare facilities are fully stocked.
Personnel stationed at BAF have slightly different living conditions to that of their NZ PRT counterparts based in Bamyan. The first obvious difference is the 11,000 Americans living on the base. Secondly, the base is considerably larger, with a perimeter of approximately 14 kilometres. Furthermore there are a few additional luxuries, a huge gymnasium and surprisingly even a Subway and Burger King restaurant. There are also a two PX stores where you can purchase your normal day to day items such as clothes, toiletries and electronic equipment.
The NSE lines have been set up as best as possible for this environment, including comfortable transit accommodation for the many New Zealand personnel moving in and out of BAF.
Frequent patrols to Kabul are part of the job at NSE, usually to obtain stores or to transport personnel in and out of the city. Movement in Kabul is difficult at the best of times, therefore personnel are very vigilant and take measures to minimise any risk. Personnel have continued to practice and modify techniques that were taught on the pre-deployment training for these patrols. Although BAF is a secure environment within the base, there have been daily reminders of how quickly things can deteriorate in and around Kabul.
To relax the NSE members compete against each other in various sports activities, and weekly have a movie or games night.
Day to day life in Bagram Air Field (BAF)
Day to day life in Bagram differs for each individual. The Radio Operator is responsible for the communication systems at the NSE. This is quite a demanding job as there are several computer networks and a number of patrol radio systems to maintain. The weather sometimes interrupts communications with Kiwi Base and New Zealand. As a result he is often out in the worst of the weather ensuring that the link is re-established.
The NSE Movements Operator whose responsibilities include receiving and forwarding freight, personnel, and the all-important mail. Most days he will be liaising with the US air operations cell about flights to Bamyan.
The NSE Supplier is responsible for purchasing the stores demanded by Kiwi Base. Daily, he liaises with US support elements, purchases items from within Bagram, and also liaises with agencies out of theatre for supplies.
Infantry soldiers provide security and assist with the day to day jobs within Bagram.
In addition there is an Administrator, a Movements Officer; a NZ PRT Logistics Liaison Officer, and a Officer in Command (OIC) NSE.
Personnel work around Bagram the some of the team travel to Kabul to uplift personnel and freight, and provide support the other missions in Afghanistan. Although the road between Bagram and Kabul is sealed (unlike those surrounding Bamyan) there are still a number of potholes and judder bars to contend with and the traffic resembles that of Auckland in rush hour.