KTC (Kabul Training Center)

After arriving in Kabul, I was driven to the KTC which is the Kabul Training Center.  This is where the majority of the working dogs are "stationed" that provide services to the surrounding areas.  The KTC compound is a small area.   I don't know the square footage but not big - AT ALL.

When you arrive there are three security gates you have to go through. The first one is just one of those red and white poles on a lever.  There is a guard there that will open it.  The next two gates are ECP (Entry Control Point) gates.  They are the large steel gates that slide open. Again, there are guards there to open the gates manually.  Yes, all the guards have AK47s.  A bit disconcerting.  Not sure how you ever get used to that.  Once you go in the first ECP you park the car and get out.  The guards check the vehicle and then you walk through the second gate (also an ECP).  You can also drive through the second gate depending on the situation (ie: transporting a dog).  In between the two gates off to the right side is a living area for the guards and the drivers.  Also, the laundry room is located there.

Staff housing is bascially converted shipping containers.  Sounds weird but they are actually pretty nice inside although the view is not the best - LOL. Think college dorm room.  They have A/C, a mini fridge, a bed, a desk, an armoir and my room has a bathroom that is shared with an adjoining room.  The adjoining room is the vet's room that I am covering for.  When she gets back we will be sharing it.  It looks like I may be here a while since my Iraqi visa has not come through yet and most people here don't think it will come through any time soon........

Bathroom

My view outside windown 1

My view outside window 2

Arnel, who is the lead administration person in the compound, had a nice silk scarf waiting for me on my bed.  He also got me some "American" type snacks for my room and some nice toiletries in a welcome basket.  It was so nice!

The are some shipping container rooms just outside the main building which is where some of the dog handlers live.  Next to and behind their rooms is a grassy area with a BBQ grill and some chairs where we can sit outside and hang out.   There area actually a few rose bushes out there too.  I guess every once in a while they will have an actual BBQ.  They also will let the dogs out there occassionally to run around and play.  One at a time.  The dogs are not allowed to socialize with each other.  There will be fighting.

BBQ area

My room is "inside" the main building.  When you walk into the main building there are stairs going up to the left or you can go by those stairs and into the training area. Upstairs is the conference room and some offfices.  Just beyond the stairs before you go into the training area there is an office to the left which is where Arnel is and some of the other admin staff have their office.  If you go to the right immediately after you walk into the training area there is the kitchen and our dining room.

The training area is like a large indoor arena.  It has six old delapidated vehicles parked there off to one side and then there are training boxes and holes along the side walls (for the dogs to train on).  The gym is in this area opposite the side where the cars are parked.  Then there are four small training rooms.  The handlers bring the dogs in here daily to work looking for explosives, narcotics, etc.  They use inert training devices.  Along the far wall is the housing unit where I live and some of the main compond people (those that stay here all the time).  There are two levels with 4 rooms on each side.  Each room has an NFL team or a rugby team plaquered on the door.  I got Tampa Bay Buccaneers which I thought was funny since I used to live in Tampa.  If I have to be here a while I may change it to the Denver Broncos :)  The "safe room" is about 2 doors down from me.

Training Vehicles

Training wall with holes for stashing narcotics, etc

Gym

Outside the training area is the vet clinic.  It is two shipping containers side by side so it's a long, narrow space.  There is actually a small surgery suite inside, a pharmacy area, a scale and lots of storage.  We do not have a blood machine so I am not able to run bloodwork but there is apparently the capability to do that on the army base with the vet that is stationed there.  I guess the base is about a 15 minute drive away.  I haven't been there yet but I am supposed to go there to meet the vet soon.

Front of the clinic

Across from the clinic is the kennel area.  They are broken up into blocks. They try to keep dogs that are used for the same contracts together. There are 72 dogs here at the moment but there is the capability of having up to 90 dogs here.

Small portion of the kennels

And......that's it.  Not much to it but I don't feel as cramped as I thought I would.  The people here are over the top nice which is amazing. They have all made me feel comfortable and welcome.  I am the only female here right now.  When the other vet comes back that will make two of us and there is one admin person that is female but she is on vacation right now. When she gets back that will make three.  Probably the most they've had here at once ever! lol The guys are from all over the world so it will be nice to get to know them and thier different cultures.  I am looking forward to this :)