New Kit Keeps Deployed Soldiers Living Well

By 1st Lt. Kenya SaenzJune 27, 2007

New Kit Keeps Deployed Soldiers Living Well
The seven billeting facilities in the Expeditionary Force Provider Kit are mission essential for the 585th Engineer Company at Forward Operating Base Logar. The showers, latrines, laundry facilities, billeting tents and a dining tent contained in the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOGAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, June 27, 2007) - With the new Expeditionary Force Provider Kit, deployed Soldiers can have fully-functional living quarters ready in the field in as little as four hours.

The kit supports approximately 150 Soldiers and includes seven billeting tents, a dining facility tent, a hygiene tent, air conditioning, four washers and dryers, and four seated latrines. Everything is a new design.

The 585th Engineer Company from Fort Lewis, Wash., is currently living in the first EFPK used in theater operations here while they construct a permanent forward operating base.

"The kit is a great program for the Army to invest in for our Soldiers," said Sgt. 1st Class Clay Wait.

"The shower units are the best feature of the force provider kit," added Capt. Samuel Escobar, 585th Eng. Co. commander. "It has allowed us to set up living areas in a timely manner."

Bradley James, a contractor with the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, deployed specifically to help the Soldiers set up, evaluate and recommend improvements to the EFPK.

"I am happy with the design, but we want to make it even better," Mr. James said. "The purpose is to support Soldiers and provide them with basic living arrangements in their deployed circumstances."

After the 585th Eng. Co. completes its mission here, the Soldiers will take the EFPK to their new location. The EFPK's practicality and maneuverability have improved their living conditions while allowing them to focus on building new facilities for other servicemembers.

According to Mr. James, the Army has approved augmenting the kit to support a battalion of 550 Soldiers.

(First Lt. Kenya Saenz is a public affairs officer with Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs.)