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Life at the NZ National Support Element, Bagram

The New Zealand National Support Element (NSE) is based at Bagram Air Force Base (BAF) about an hour and a half (60km) drive north of Kabul.  Their task is to provide logistical support to the NZ PRT at Kiwi Base in Bamyan and other NZDF personnel in Afghanistan.

Image.  NSE staff at Bagram Air Field, late 2006.

Ten personnel make up the NZ National Support Element (NSE).  Its main role is to support the NZ PRT with logistical and administrative support, everything from booking flights to and from Bamyan, procuring stores from the US military or overseas suppliers, to making sure that the Bamyan Welfare facilities are fully stocked. 

Personnel stationed at BAF live alongside more than 20,000 Americans living on the base, which is considerably larger than Kiwi Base in Bamyan with a perimeter of approximately 14 kilometres.  The size brings some additional luxuries including a huge gymnasium, and Subway and Burger King restaurants.  There are also a two PX stores where you can purchase your normal day to day items such as clothes, toiletries and electronic equipment.

The NSE lines have been set up as best as possible for this environment, including comfortable transit accommodation for the many New Zealand personnel moving in and out of BAF.