CAMP LEATHERNECK - As an indispensable acquisition partner, DCMA employees have turned Camp Leatherneck into one of the most critical FOBs supporting the global war on terrorism. Camp Leatherneck is a logistics hub supporting the southern and western expansion of Afghanistan.
Since late January, DCMA has directed and coordinated logistics civil augmentation program services for 22,000 Marines with an exceptional level of service.
Less than a year ago, the agency supported 4,000 Marines and civilians. Now there're more than 12,000 Marines and civilians operating out of the camp. By June 2010, it's projected that number will grow to 20,000. The camp is now the largest FOB in southern Afghanistan.
Through the LOGCAP contract, employees provide maintenance on the tents, fuel all of the generators and perform any maintenance on the environmental control units. DCMA ensures those operating on the camp have the proper security badges, and unload and distribute all cargo.
In support of a rapidly growing population, and anticipated surge, 2 dining facilities were recently constructed on the camp. Overall, LOGCAP constructed, operates and serves approx 40,000 meals per day in 6 dining facilities.
In addition to dining facility oversight, DCMA oversaw the construction of the first U.S. aircraft maintenance facility on the Camp Leatherneck flightline, finishing 15 days ahead of schedule. Duwel said his team was also responsible for building the first maintenance tent for the V-22 Osprey rotorwing aircraft, so that Marines can maintain the craft indoors.
"The FOB is growing, and will continue to grow as the base continues to take on new tenants, roles and functions, even as it is still under construction," said Duwel.
According to Duwel, in Jan., 2009, a site survey team of Marines claimed the open desert location adjacent to an existing UK base, Camp Bastion and Afghan Army base, Camp Shorabak. While nobody knows how long the Marines will remainn, as long as DCMA supports the FOB, Camp Leatherneck will play a prominent role.
According to Duwel, expansion plans for this base exist today and building has already started. He said it is projected the once modest base will triple in size over the next 12 months. "The commensurate expansion of ASF, the facilities at Camp Shorabak, and sustained high-tempo ops by Camp Bastion, mean that the great Bastion-Leatherneck-Shorabak complex will continue to provide a critical and meaningful role in support of our collective forces for the foreseeable future," said Duwel.
Duwel added that it is envisioned that the ASF will eventually take possession of the camps as part of their defense infrastructure.
