Camp Marmal

Camp Marmal
An American C-5 aircraft at Camp Marmal
IATA: none – ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Military
Owner	Afghanistan
Operator	ISAF Afghan Air Force
Serves	Northern Afghanistan
Location	Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Built	2005 (2005)
In use	2005-present
Elevation AMSL	1,273 ft / 388 m
Coordinates	36°42′10″N 067°13′40″E / 36.70278°N 67.22778°E / 36.70278; 67.22778Coordinates: 36°42′10″N 067°13′40″E / 36.70278°N 67.22778°E / 36.70278; 67.22778
Map
Camp Marmal Location in Afghanistan
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 06L/24R 0 0 Asphalt 06R/24L 0 0 Asphalt

Camp Marmal is the largest base of the Bundeswehr outside of Germany. It is adjacent to the Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi International Airport in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains. The camp was opened in September 2005 and has expanded in recent years. The camp gets its name from the bordering Marmal Mountains.

Camp Marmal hosts the staff of the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Regional Command North of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), as well as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), stationed at Camp Mike Spann, composed of Easy Company 1-167th Infantry Battalion.

Major General Jörg Vollmer has been commander of RC-North since 23 February 2013, as well as leader of the German ISAF contingent and commanding general of the German Special Forces Division, serving under the NATO ISAF commanding general, U.S. General Joseph Dunford. He is replacing Major General Erich Pfeffer. Vollmers's deputy commander is United States Marine Corps Brigadier General Craig Q. Timberlake.

More than 5,000 soldiers are currently stationed at Camp Marmal. Additional forces come from the United States, Croatia and 14 other NATO countries as well as from Georgia.^[1] From Camp Marmal, ISAF soldiers conduct work in northern Afghanistan related to physical security and joint civil/military projects, in addition to the major task of supplying the five Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT).

RC-North supports five PRTs: Kunduz, Feyzabad, Meymaneh, Pol-e Khomri and Mazar-e Sharif. RC-North supports and protects the nine provinces under their military administration through reconstruction efforts. Foremost is cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and Afghan National Security Forces. The base hosts a large medical center for ISAF forces and also local civilians. The base has been heavily involved in supporting German combat operations in Afghanistan in early 2009.

History

The Norwegian Camp Nidaros within Camp Marmal in 2006

Germany began building the site on 3 November 2005 and it opened 2 August 2006.^[2]

Camp Nidaros is the Norwegian part of the camp and is located within Camp Marmal itself. It began operating in 2006.

Airfield

Germany

The German Air Force had a detachment of Panavia Tornado reconnaissance aircraft that returned to Germany in 2010 and were replaced by Heron I unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.^[3][4][5]

Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters were deployed from December 2012.^[2]

Between April 2013^[2] and July 2014 NHIndustries NH90 helicopters were used for aero-medical evacuations from the immediate battlefield, supplemented by Transall C-160 transport aircraft and Sikorsky CH-53G helicopters for general and medical transportation.^[6][7]

Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Air Force deployed F-16's between 15 October 2011^[8] and 30 June 2014.^[9]

Sweden

The Swedish Air Force initially used Eurocopter HKP 10 helicopters from 1 April 2011 for medevac before being replaced with Sikorsky HKP 16 helicopters in March 2013. However, during May 2014 all HKP 16s were withdrawn from Afghanistan as part of the drawdown.^[10]

United States

The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade was replaced by the 1st Air Cavalry Brigades 2-227TH Aviation Regiment, (Task Force Lobos) in 2011 providing Boeing AH-64 Apache, Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk and Boeing CH-47 Chinook support throughout RC North until April 2012.

2012 brought the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Germany, with 5-158th Aviation Regiment (Task Force Ready) augmented with 1/211 (UTNG), providing full spectrum aviation support to RC-North.

In December 2012, 1/211 (UTNG) (Boeing AH-64 Apache) was replaced by the 1-104th ARB (PAARNG) (Task Force Iron Warrior).

Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Armored Division arrived during February 2013 until between October and November 2013

• 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment
• 2nd General Support Attack Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment
• 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment returned during September 2013 after an eight-month deployment.

1st Air Cavalry brigade arrived during October 2013

• 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
  • Boeing AH-64 Apache
• 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
  • Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
• 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
  • Unknown aircraft
• 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
  • Boeing AH-64 Apache

By October 2014 all elements of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade had returned home.^[11]

45th ESOS Flying the Fairchild RC-26B ISR platform, as part of the 745 SOS operating out of KHRT under JSOC.

Hospital

The German military hospital was completed in 2007. Its primary purpose is to provide emergency services to the ISAF troops. German civilians in Afghanistan and aid workers are also served, either under contract or in cases of emergency. Local Afghans are also cared for, as capacity and means permit.

Along with two operating units, there are specialists, outpatient clinics, intensive and intermediate care stations. The hospital, pharmacy, and laboratory have approximately 80 military personnel.

Facilities

German President Horst Köhler talks with troops at Camp Marmal in 2010.

The first German Army Boxer Armored Transport Vehicles deployed to Northern Afghanistan arrive at Camp Marmal, International Security Assistance Force, Regional Command North. The Boxer is equipped with modern optics and remote-controlled weapons stations and provides improved protection to its crews.

Military chaplaincy

The German chaplains are offering space for recreation and spiritual care. There is also a Norwegian chapel inside Camp Nidaros.

The atrium

Planet Mazar

There is a recreation facility at Camp Marmal called Planet Mazar located in the atrium. Planet Mazar offers pool tables, dart boards, football tables and a poker table.

Internet Café

There is also an Internet Café in which service members and contractors can connect to the pay-as-you-go internet with laptops or use the desktops provided. Internet cards can be purchased at Planet Mazar.

Fitness Center

The German Fitness Center is located by The Atrium. All personnel must change shoes prior to working out.

Cafés

There are two cafés located in the atrium, The Lounge and K2.

Restaurant

The MAK Team Restaurant is located at the place of previous Norwegian D-Fac, ex camp Nidaros, compound just across the road from German Hospital. Mak team Restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine with wide range of grilled food. Also serves variety of desserts as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There is a restaurant located in the atrium, The Oases. Various food items, coffee, sodas, and alcohol are sold at Planet Mazar, The Lounge, K2 and The Oasis.

Bazaar

A bazaar is located on base. It is open every day but Friday. Local vendors sell a variety of items such as military paraphernalia, loose gem stones, Afghan rugs, DVDs, local cell phones and electronics.

Cell phones and DVD's are no longer allowed to be sold at the bazaar per the German military. This also includes cameras and MP3 players, or anything else that can store data. The Norwegian PX has basic cell phones for sale between 40 and 60 Euros. Cell phone SIM cards and topup cards for Roshan and Etislat are still available for sale at the bazaar and the Norwegian PX. Etislat has the best cell phone signal in the base area and most of RC North.

A barber shop is also available at the bazaar.

Dining facilities

There are three dining facilities (DFAC) on Camp Marmal: a German, American and a Norwegian. The Norwegian DFAC is invite only for non-Nordic personnel. All personnel are required to wash their hands when entering the dining facilities.

Fast food

At the very center of Camp Marmal, at the location of the ex-Camp Nidaros (Norwegian part of the camp) you can find MAK Team Pizzeria and recently MAK Team Restaurant as well. These places are known around the base as an oasis to escape the everyday military life. Pizzeria offers wide range of pizzas and deserts, and they serve genuine European style esspresso among other beverages. Restaurant serves mainly Mediterranean cuisine as well as wide range of grill food (kebab, steaks etc.). Services can be paid with Euros, Dollars as well as Eagle cash. Green Bean Coffee is located on the U.S. side of the base next to the PX, they accept US Dollars or Eagle Cash.

Housing

Most U.S. personnel are housed in air-conditioned tents, with generally 8-10 people per tent. Heat and A/C in the tents are sufficient year round, although in the hottest summer months a fan is suggested. Near the Dutch camp, music is sometimes played till midnight on the weekends. The entire side of the U.S. base near them is affected by this.not all tents had heat and air.

For the rest of the civilian, military or diplomatic personnel there is a hotel facility with over 40 available rooms with AC and all other utilities (laundry, wi-fi, parking space, lounging area etc.). MAK Team Lodge is located at the location of the old Skylink compound, not too far away from the airport.

Laundry

The laundry facilities are run by Ecolog and usually next day pickup is expected. However, as of September 2012 Fluor has taken over the US laundry service with pickup times being extended to around 48–72 hours and there is usually a long line at the pickup area. However Ecolog are still running the service on the German side of the base.

Mail

There are two post offices located on Camp Marmal. All packages must also be thoroughly inspected by the PO personnel before it can be sealed.

Money

There are Eagle Cash machines located at the following locations: next to the German PX, the American PX, the U.S. Post Office, and the finance office. The Eagle Cash machine located in front of finance is mostly used for withdrawing money. Personnel may also cash checks or draw advanced pay from the finance Office the Beach House.

Internet service

Bentley Walker is available with dedicated Ka Band Satellite that offers sustained, high quality coverage in the entire area. They offer various high speed, affordable packages with equipment.

The USO has computers available and a WiFi center that allows visitors a no cost option for connecting to the internet.

Sniperhill offers extensive Wi-Fi coverage over all of the U.S. parts of the base with some access points reaching surrounding Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian compounds. A few access plans are available such as 1-day access, 7-day access, or 30-day access with speed levels up to 512 kbit/s, but users often complain about connection issues and unsustainable internet speeds. They do accept credit cards, cash or PayPal.

AGN (Afghan German Network) covers the German side of the base with Wi-Fi and similar plans as Sniperhill. There is some limited coverage on the U.S. side and various other areas.

Call2Home offers Wi-Fi and GSM services for the Dutch Forces on time based payments. Wi-Fi is also covering partially some other nations.

Post exchanges

There are four post exchanges located on Camp Marmal. The Dutch B&S store and the American Exchange PX function as all-purpose stores that sell snacks, drinks, personal hygiene products, clothing, nicotine products, and various other supplies. The main German Deutsche Speicher PX (DSPX) primarily sells clothing items and military gear. All three PX's accept dollars, Eagle Cash, and credit/debit cards. The Dutch PX and the DSPX accept euros. There is also a small German PX in the same building as the German feldpost .

See also

• International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
• Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)
• Bagram Air Base
• List of airports in Afghanistan

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camp Marmal.