Construction for 215th Corps Logistics Unit Completed

Future home of 215th ANA Corps Logistics Unit
Photo by Bill Dowell, USACE, January 28, 2014

Construction is almost complete for the logistics unit that supports the 215th Afghan National Army Corps in southwest Afghanistan. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acts as construction agents for numerous projects in Afghanistan. The Corps employees contract and oversee construction in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Corps guidance. It is a difficult working environment - a society rife with corruption, trade and construction skilled labor not abundant, harsh weather conditions, and very little security for the transit of equipment, material and supplies. In addition, Afghan construction projects have been well-renowned for not being completed and for shoddy workmanship. In this specific instance, the USACE feels the project went well (a dose of good news never hurts especially in light of recent reports on reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan by SIGAR). See "Construction projects some of the best, general says", DVIDS - U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, February 3, 2014.

Army Corps of Engineers Continue 250 Projects in Afghanistan

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) continues to oversee the building of over 250 construction projects in Afghanistan. Despite the steady withdrawal of U.S. and other Coalition forces (projected to be at 34,000 in February 14) the corps continues to build projects for the Afghan military and police. View a video showing the construction of a facility that will house the Afghan National Army Recruiting Command (ANAREC) at some point in the future at the link below.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/319399/infrastructure-critical-afghan-progress

Louis Berger Group - Afghanistan War Zone Contractor Under Investigation

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have provided huge profits to those firms willing to operate in a war zone.  These firms are needed and provide services, support, and construction to U.S. forces fighting in the two countries.  However, it is well-known that the U.S. military has botched the contract awarding process and big and small firms alike have taken advantage of this.  Many times the U.S. can't do much about it - as in the case of the construction firm called the Louis Berger Group.  Read more in "Though under a cloud, U.S. contractor in Afghanistan reaps billions", The Miami Herald, September 20, 2010.