The new base at Qala-i-Naw

The new base at Qala-i-Naw

The new base at Qala-i-Naw

Afghan National Army Dawood Wafadar / Brigadier general

Same facilities, a new style

   Since the former Spanish base at Qala-i-Naw was transferred to the Afghans in September 2013, they have made it their own. While the facilities are in very good condition and mostly retain their original uses (as is the case of the offices), they have added elements better suited to local tastes and customs. An example is the building that has been erected in one of the courtyards (see photo bottom right), which serves as a meeting point for officers.
   The thousands of Spanish soldiers who served there might be surprised by the new gardens at the entrance of the buildings. In addition, the Afghans have planted more than a thousand trees to create green rest areas.

'We miss the Spaniards, they are our friends'

   General Wafadar leads the Afghan brigade deployed at Qala-i-Naw. He has fond memories of the Spanish soldiers, especially the advisers who worked “side by side” with him, and shows his respect and acknowledgement towards those who lost their lives working “for the peace and security” of his country.
   Although eighteen months have passed since the Spaniards left Qala-i-Naw, the general still deals with the Spanish personnel stationed at Herat – at the former RC West –, with the liaison officer in Kabul and with some of those who were his mentors and are now in Spain, through one of the interpreters who were there almost since the beginning of the mission. He admits that they miss them and wish to continue their friendship.
   The general, who was in Spain in 2011 doing a course on Advanced Defence Studies for Senior Afghan Officers, has great memories of his stay in our country, both in terms of the people he met and of the historic and cultural heritage he encountered.

   The features he emphasizes the most in the Spanish soldiers are “the bravery, the goodwill and the patience” they showed “in exchange for nothing”.
   Thanks to their work and efforts, it has been easier for the Afghans to take responsibility for their own security. He asserts: “With their help and the soldiers’ efforts, everything has turned out well. It hasn’t been that hard because the advisers offered the guidance we needed – me, my Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders of my battalions, and we haven’t had any major problem”.

The general thinks

that the advisers taught them

to be self-reliant

Weekly maintenance

   At present, the base accommodates two infantry battalions and personnel from the Afghan Air Force in charge of the flight plan. The general claims that “almost all the installations are being used, although some buildings are only used temporarily. But maintenance is carried out on a weekly basis and everything is in mint condition.” That is important because the Qala-i-Naw base offers support to advance bases in other districts, and it hosts a rapid reaction unit available in case of insurgency attacks or to transfer the wounded.
   It is, therefore, crucial to the Afghans for the base to operate at full capacity – although that is not possible at present due to lack of electricity supply. Two hundred solar panels have been installed around the base, but even that is not enough to feed around the clock the four independent areas in which the Spanish plan divided the base. Other plans are afoot…