Initially, Major Krzysztof Kociuba has been assigned as Chief Logistics Headquarters Support Group at the ISAF Joint Command (IJC) but he has been delegated to Headquarters Kabul International Airport (KAIA) in order to assist in providing real logistics support to all the forces based at KAIA.
Major Kociuba: As far as logistics, IJC was self-supporting until January 2010, when KAIA assumed responsibility for this particular area. Currently, we are preparing to introduce so-called Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). This means that as of 1st April the bulk of logistic areas will be within the field of responsibility of civilian contractors who have concluded contracts with NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) acting on behalf of Joint Force Command Brunssum. All the contractors shall be directly supervised by the military forces and NAMSA.
As the responsibility is to be assumed by the contractors, we have been making an inventory of the property. And so we have been analysing our data bases and examining the condition of our equipment. The inventory has to do with the KAIA command being given to a new leading nation. As of 1 April the Greek will take over from the Spanish.
Three areas
The civilian contractors are going to provide services within three main logistic areas, which have mostly been within the military field of responsibility until now. There are Airfield Support Services, Airport Facility and Infrastructure and Real Life Support. The first of the three areas covers the practical operation of the airport. The second one encompasses the airports’ infrastructure. The areas are broken into smaller subgroups such as waste disposal, vehicle maintenance, electric supply, etc. Finally, real life support covers food service and laundry. We hope these changes will first and foremost ease the strain on the military logistics system.
How I work
I work at a cell led by a Spanish Colonel and I daily cooperate not only with servicemen but also with civilian contractors. My direct contacts with these people make the mission time run fast. I do not spend days in front of a computer screen but I meet people, I am on the move and enjoy it. This is an absorbing and rewarding occupation as I can exchange my experiences with a number of people. Although cooperation with civilian contractors is a novelty to me, many managers of these companies have a military background so we are on the same wavelengths.
The greatest challenge in my work is the complexity of issues related to the process of responsibility handover among the nations and the introduction of ILS. So far a similar system has only been in operation in Kandahar.
MNC NE team
I have an every day contact with personnel of the Corps. I cooperate closely to Major Tomasz Borowczyk, who fulfills duties of the deputy commander of Headquarters Support Group at IJC. The main task of the group is to provide equipment and support for offices of IJC. We participate in briefings with the commander of KAIA on every day basis.
More on logistics
The migration from southern KAIA to northern KAIA was finished on 25th March. This day ceremony of had over take over took place and now Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is owner of the ground which for some years belonged to ISAF forces. New housing facilities are commissioned. Since we came in the beginning of February a net of small shops with regional goods has been opened. Additionally, a new gymnasium has been constructed. We also have a new morale and welfare tent where we can watch a film, play a team game, make use of the Internet or the reading room, or drink some coffee. Recently, a Thai restaurant and shops called PX have been opened, cafes on the airport have been developed and the construction of the new canteen has been started. Soon, a new Italian cafe and a weekly market will be open.
After 1st April
After launching of ILS and assuming the command over KAIA by the Greek I will still deal with logistic matters. I will fulfill the function of the liaison officer mediating between contractors and IJC. In spite of launching ILS, Chief Logistics, on behalf of the Commander of KAIA, is still responsible for all the property and support. All kinds of stocktaking, supervision and coordination of operations concerning civilian contractors shall be implemented by Logistic Division of KAIA Headquarters.
