KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A look before the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) cleared out nearly six inches of debris and trash from the water grate. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Mark Abueg)
When the task to help rebuild and reconstruct Afghanistan was established, Army Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, the commander of Afghanistan Engineer District-North, initially had concerns about how much could be accomplished.
“We’d shake our heads and be concerned about the ability for that contractor to finish,” Magness, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer, said yesterday during a DoDLive Bloggers’ Roundtable.
That concern, he said, was short lived. Since then, the Afghanistan reconstruction endeavor has progressed on a solid foundation of accomplishment and professionalism.
“Now we are awarding most of our contracts to Afghan contractors. They are competent, professional, safe on the job site and fully capable of completing the projects,” Magness said.
And the professional relationship has continued to grow and progress.
The Army Corps of Engineers are working to pave the way for a sustainable Afghanistan, and in more ways than one. From rebuilding facilities, to providing energy-efficient alternatives, like solar power, the goal is to help establish a solid foundation for Afghanistan.
To find out how Army Engineers are helping to build and support a nation, click here.
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