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Afghanistan 5


were really viable. “The two key concepts were the early recognition of the


need to change procedures and forward vision. The use of the Gravel Soak Lot in reverse was mooted and the idea snowballed. It took some time to mitigate all the security concerns but the initial trial of 20 containers was a complete success.” In the space of about three months Agility moved in


excess of 1,000 empty containers through the GSL reducing truck movements by 500. That is not the only logistical innovation brought about


highest offer wins but until there has been full payment nothing is removed from the Agility compound. This can take some time as all deals are done in cash dollars and not every buyer is happy carrying around that much cash about his person at any one time. Initially a deposit of 10 per cent will ensure the goods are not offered for resale for 15 working days. Full payment is expected within one month and is only deemed to have been paid in full when the funds have been cleared and a formal certificate of sale is issued by Agility. “All goods,” says Davis, “remain property of the MoD until sold, so if the MoD suddenly decides they need kit back they can.” As the redeployment gathers pace the amount of goods


being sent to Agility increases and already the company has had to request double the amount of hard standing space within the camp to store it all and to allow enough space for all the buyers trucks to circulate safely when they come to collect their goods. The success of the Agility sales has thrown up one or


two logistical problems; with so many buyers the issue of picking up goods safely and quickly so that the Agility yard remains clear for in-coming kit raises its head. But a bit of collaboration and the issue was solved by


using the Gravel Soak Lot (GSL) – this is the area next to the Main Exit/Entry Point (MEP) where containers coming into the camp, full of kit for use by the military, are dropped off and pass through security before being taken into camp. “The innovation,” says Davis, “came about over coffee


in the yard. I was chatting to a couple of Royal Logistic Corps officers. The subject was how to get everything running smoothly and quickly; it was abundantly clear that the total number of containers to be removed from Bastion could not be moved via the MEP alone. “We chatted around options of using other entry points


and/or using the Rough Terrain Container Handler (RTCH) to drop containers outside the wire but none


logisticsmanager March 2014


Above: Container operations at Camp Bastion.


Above right: Remnants of containers at warlike scrap compound Camp Bastion.


through collaboration between Agility and the Military. The company has brought forward the concept of ‘forward selling’ kit from actual operating bases outside Camp Bastion.


Non-contentious equipment Agility was approached by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to help dispose of its surplus, non-contentious, military equipment. The problem being that Agility could not get the kit back to Camp Bastion so it was suggested that the kit be sold from Kandahar. Agility set up an operation there and it was a success. “We wanted to test the local market in Tarin Kowt (TK)


There are people who would not have us here and that is something we always have to get across to our people day in and day out.


where much of the ADF was based. Initially, Agility sent reps forward to the ADF base in TK and sold from there. Later, with an established customer base, container loads of high volume low value items were sold remotely.” The background administration and payments are


carried out by Agility in Bastion but the actual release of items, loading etc was carried out in TK under the supervision of the ADF. “This model is now being applied to the closure of the


British Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Helmand Province. In addition to the revenue generated by sales, every sale of two x TEU to a local buyer saves the MoD the cost of transporting items to Bastion on a 40’ flatbed. The saving of transport costs is significant.” It’s not just about the money; not having to organise for


vehicles and troops to collect the kit means that they are not put in physical danger for the sake of kit that isn’t going to be brought home anyway. “It is almost deceptive sat around here that actually we


are still in a place where there are people who would not have us here and that is something we always have to get across to our people day in and day out. It is easy in a place as large as Bastion to feel slightly remote from the battle space and yet we are in it and we must never forget that,” warns Air Commodore Bessell.


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