They usually spend around 12 hours at work. They have important jobs to do out there. They miss simple things they would do at home. The servicemen of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) have already spent more than one month in Afghanistan.
New jobs and new challenges
The mission preparation process is one thing, adapting to the mission environment and the battle rhythm is another one. Master Sergeant Ivo Kask, Estonian Army, has been assigned to a different post than planned, but as he admitted, his new occupation has much in common with his previous assignment. Working in the cross-functional team focusing on reintegration, Master Sergeant Kask is responsible for searching the database and collecting the necessary information. As he said, it is hard, time consuming and much reading-related but very important to do. It is about helping those who would like to choose a new way, support the Afghan Government and start a normal life.
Another serviceman from the Baltic Barracks, who is doing a lot for the Afghans, is Colonel Tomasz Nojmiler, Polish Air Force. He is coordinating the development and growth of airfields in Afghanistan. "There are a lot of players involved in the process: civilian, governmental, non-governmental organisations, airline companies. The airport infrastructure encompasses different aspects like the development of passengers’ terminals, providing personnel and radio navigation equipment. ISAF supports all these undertakings and I am 'the ISAF hand' in that respect," explained Colonel Nojmiler, who is a 
member of the Air Plans & Projects Branch within the ISAF Joint Command (IJC). "This is something I have never done before, so it is helping the Afghans and developing at the same time." Since the aviation sector is the second main source of income for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, it is of vital importance to assess and coordinate any aviation development projects. "The greatest challenge is to de-conflict all the projects so that the efforts are not duplicated and resources wasted," he explained.
Major Marcel Janiga, Slovak Army, is working at the Joint Theatre Movement Staff. Among other things, he is in charge of planning the staff movement or convoys. "Originally I am a Logistics Officer so it is a little bit different; I had to learn the cycle 
which is being run within the Movers Branch and how to operate the systems but I got used to this work and I am more than satisfied." But life in theatre is not that perfect: "I miss my daughter most and, of course, my whole family," Major Janiga said. "And I am not going to drive my car for the next five months. That is another thing I really miss here."
Routines
One month is long enough to find one’s way in the camp. The majority of the MNC NE personnel working at the IJC have already moved from tents into new buildings. Major Janiga stressed that living in a tent was not uncomfortable except for the moments when he had to go to the bathroom in the rain or snow. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Christensen, Danish Army, mentioned the laundry service, which makes a soldier’s life much easier. "Laundry delivered before 18:00 can be collected the following day – washed, dried and neatly put together, but not ironed – it is a nice service," he explained.
The mission is not an easy time for night owls. Latest at 8:00 a typical working day begins. "I usually finish work at 21:00; 21:30", said Master Sergeant Kask. In fact, other servicemen also finish their work so late. As a result, besides breaks for meals or physical training, the officers and non-commissioned officers spend the whole days at work. Usually there is little time left for relax after work. Recently, a tent has been opened offering some entertainment to servicemen. "It is a big tent where you can play pool or table tennis, you can watch videos, there are a couple of computers with pretty fast Internet connection," Major Janiga said.
There are no weekends in the mission battle rhythm. Friday, which is a holiday in Afghanistan, is the only day when some personnel can sleep longer. "If there is nothing special to do, we can come to work at 12:00," said Major Janiga. "The breakfast ends at 8:00 so there is a choice: having breakfast or sleeping longer," Lieutenant Colonel Christensen added. 
A typical working day of Lieutenant Colonel Christensen:
07.00 – wake-up, shower and breakfast;
08.00 – opening the office and switching on PCs; reading e-mails;
08.30 – the morning update briefing on the PC directly from the operations centre;
10:00 – coffee and smoking break; afterwards coordination with other staff officers, reading orders and other documents;
12:15 – lunch break; retrieve laundry; back at the office;
15:00 – physical training and shower. At the office until dinnertime;
18:30 – dinner time; at the office until around 21.30;
22:00 – watching movies, writing letters or reading a book;
23:00 – lights switched off; snoring in chorus :)
Days are no longer typical when a serviceman goes on a duty travel. But it might be a question if there is such a thing as routine for Colonel Nojmiler. In fact, he has spent 15 days out of 30 on duty travels visiting different airports across Afghanistan. His last trip led him to Kandahar where he met the airport officials and Chief of the Afghan Border Police. “I wanted to check the needs concerning the infrastructure, security or personnel and how ISAF can help,” he said.
No empty stomachs left
It is important to eat well to be in top gear. The MNC NE servicemen do not complain about food at all: "I would say only one word – great. I am more than satisfied with the choice,
meals three times a day and you do not have to wash up," Major Janiga said. "Breakfast can be warm if desired, e.g. eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes etc. But I usually have oatmeal and some bread – otherwise I would bulge despite exercise," Lieutenant Colonel Christensen continued. For lunch and dinner, there is usually a choice of three dishes with a salad table as well as cold meat and bread. And there are always delicious desserts, too. The only thing missing for Master Sergeant Kask is milk that is available only in coffee corners.
MNC NE team
130 MNC NE personnel constitute a large group within the IJC. "We have our own line of communication, when I need something, I always go to someone from our Headquarters in the first place," admitted Colonel Nojmiler. Major Janiga does not even have to leave his office to meet friends from Szczecin – there are several officers from Baltic Barracks working in the Logistics Branch, including Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs.
There are still 5 months ahead of the MNC NE servicemen in Afghanistan, full of challenges and hard work. But with friends at the side, good living conditions and support from families, it will be a well-spent mission for the good of the Afghan people.
