Army Corps of Engineers turns over Afghan police district HQ

By Michael BeemanMarch 5, 2012

Army Corps turns over Afghan Uniform Police District Headquarters in Injil
Air Force Col. Benjamin Wham, the South District commander (left) looks on as Mohammad Amin Hokomat and Ghulam Dastagir Rustamy, Afghan National Police officials, sign for their new facility and receive a box of keys during a turn over ceremony for t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (March 4, 2012) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District-South completed its oversight of construction and turned over a new Afghan Uniformed Police District Headquarters in Injil, in Herat province, March 1.

The project included complete design and construction of a partially completed two-story facility. The contract included management, planning, design, material, labor and equipment to site adapt and complete construction of all utilities, vehicle access, buildings, force protection measures and site security.

This $1.6 million construction project consists of an administration building housing a barracks, a dining facility, conference areas, day lounges, armory, jail cells and laundry and latrine facilities. Additional facilities on the site include storage areas, a guard shack, gate house, water well, backup power generator and perimeter wall.

The project was awarded in February 2011 and a notice to proceed was issued March 17. The contractor for the project was Omran Holding Group.

Infrastructure improvements include a road network, septic system, entry control points, fuel storage, electrical connection to the municipality power distribution system and parking areas and sidewalks.

"It is not very often the Corps of Engineers oversees projects in Afghanistan that are completed on time," said Air Force Col. Benjamin Wham, the south District Commander. "What makes this project special is that it was completed more than one month early and in less than one year from start to finish. This is a great testament to the quality of Omran's work and the dedication that everyone on the team had to see the project through completion."

The USACE Herat Area office, which employs a staff of 13 USACE military and civilian employees as well as Afghan engineers, provided management oversight of the project.

"The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, together with the Injil Uniform Police, will be able to provide a professional level of security from this facility for the people of Injil and the surrounding area for generations to come," said Gordon M. Bartley, Herat Area Office officer in charge. "This facility, which will house a force of 120, will be a great stabilizing influence in this area."

Bartley is from Rogers, Ark., and serves with the Missouri National Guard, 35th Engineer Brigade.

Related Links:

Army.mil: Current Operations News

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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