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Living conditions at a forward operating base in Afghanistan can be rough for soldiers of Mentoring Task Force - Two (MTF-2), but after a lot of hard work they are getting better.

"There are a lot of things at the patrol bases that are different to home, but the more comfortable we can make the bases – the better the soldiers will be," said Major Roy Henry, officer commanding Delta Company, MTF-2.

Soldiers of the Logistical Support Company (LSC), MTF-2, understand this all too well. This is why they are constantly out on the roads in Uruzgan conducting supply convoy missions.
 
The bases they service are temporary homes for MTF-2 soldiers who are deployed to Afghanistan to partner with and mentor the Afghan National Army (ANA).

These bases are supplied on a regular basis by a special supply convoy called the 'Shojo'. This convoy brings much more than supplies.

The Shojo also brings tradesman, like plumbers and electricians, to conduct repairs and inspections on equipment needed for life sustainment. Without these experts equipment would break down and overall health and welfare of the base would break down with it.

"Maintaining the bases is just as important as resupplying ammunition and fuel," said Warrant Officer Class Two Jake Donnelly, the convoy commander for the Shojo.

"There is also effort put into improving the overall standard of living for the soldiers. Something like installing electricity into the soldier's living quarters to power personal items like laptops – makes a big difference to morale.
 
"Morale is a big factor," said Donnelly. "If morale is high then everything else gels – so the more amenities we can provide – the better."

The Australian accommodations aren't the only focus for the LSC – they also resupply and maintain the Afghan National Army (ANA) side of the bases.

Henry said the Australians have been installing numerous upgrades into the ANA living areas such as generators, flushing toilets and showers – items with which many Afghans lack access to.

The overall mission for MTF-2 is to prepare the ANA to take over security operations for Uruzgan without international assistance … and this includes conducting resupply missions.

To achieve this objective MTF-2 has been partnering with and mentoring elements of the ANA on how to conduct logistical operations.

"Not only are we able to supply our own soldiers at the bases but the ANA have been able to partner with us and resupply their own people too," said Donnelly.

While these remote bases don't have the same comfort items that Australians would have in their own homes – the soldiers of the LSC are doing their part to make that gap as small as possible for the members of MTF-2 and their Afghan partners.