More than two weeks have passed since the first group of personnel of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) began their mission in Afghanistan. Accommodating, learning about the job, finding themselves in the camp have been the main points of concern for everybody.
At work
Lieutenant Colonel Torsten Stolp, German Army, is working in the heart of the Afghan busiest airport KAIA. He is responsible for booking flights and coordinating arrivals and departures: ‘It is very interesting; I work with people all the time informing them about the flights. My office is in the middle of the passengers terminal, therefore, it is very busy.’ The terminal is opened 24 hours seven days a week so there are no defined working hours as such. If there is any kind of delay, it is not possible to “close the business”. But Lieutenant Colonel Stolp admitted that he usually starts at half past seven and works for 12 hours. Lieutenant Colonel Stolp already did a similar job back in 2007 when he took part in the first MNC NE deployment to Afghanistan. For that reason, he did not find it very difficult to take over the responsibilities. ‘We were well trained during the mission preparation process and at the Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger,’ he stressed.
Polish Lieutenant Colonel Bogdan Gęsior is also working for the IJC. However, his office is not located at KAIA but at the ISAF Headquarters. He is responsible for gathering information from any sources for the needs of the branch. ‘It is very interesting because I learn a lot of things about the ISAF mission, about the people in Afghanistan and their reactions to our activities,’ he said. His typical working day lasts for 12 hours and includes a lot of meetings. MNC NE spirit
Both officers stress the importance of being a part of the MNC NE team. Lieutenant Colonel Stolp, who is working in the logistics area, has a lot of fellow members around. ‘It is really a big advantage to know what your friends from the Corps are doing. If you have a problem, you can always ask them.’
The MNC NE team also keeps in touch after work meeting in the dining facility or in the gym. ‘We are like a big family,’ said Lieutenant Colonel Gęsior.
The MNC NE spirit was clearly visible when the second part of the Corps’ personnel arrived in Kabul. The MNC NE Chief of Staff Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs as well as other MNC NE members were the first ones to greet their friends at the airport and show them around.
In the camp Since the camp at KAIA is a new one, it is still developing. When the MNC NE servicemen arrived, many of them got their temporary accommodation in tents and moved into new buildings later on, just like Lieutenant Colonel Stolp. These accommodation issues were of no concern to MNC NE members assigned to the ISAF Headquarters, who received their rooms at once. The thing that is in common for both camps is the food, which is very good and varied. ‘You have to be very careful not to put on weight,’ Lieutenant Colonel Stolp said with a smile.
Mission time runs fast
Yesterday, on 18th February, a special counter indicated 9 mission days behind for Lieutenant Colonel Gęsior. It means 5% of his mission accomplished. Talking about the remaining part of it, both servicemen sounded optimistic. ‘Because of busy days, when each of them is a challenge, the time runs very fast,’ said Lieutenant Colonel Stolp. Lieutenant Colonel Gęsior feels the same. ‘I think it will be a successful mission. Based on the public opinion research, the approach of the Afghans towards the ISAF activities is getting better and better.’
Photos by IJC
