The U.S. is still conducting military operations throughout Afghanistan, but most American tax dollars earmarked for that country are rebuilding its infrastructure—everything from water and sewage treatment facilities to runways and security fencing. One project currently underway is the design and construction of new barracks for U.S. military personnel—barracks that will eventually be turned over to the Afghanis to house police and security operations. For this assignment, PBS&J is a subcontractor to ECC International of Burlingame, California, a design-build construction company working for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan, and one of the top 100 defense contractors in the world.

An exercise in reuse, the barracks will be constructed of used steel shipping containers, the type most often found at ports around the world. (Once the containers and their contents reach their destination, it becomes too expensive to return empty containers to their points of origin.) Stockpiled units can be fitted with doors and windows, and necessary mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, preparing them for their designated end use.

While on assignment in Kandahar and Bagram, Pelayo Calante, PE, a PBS&J MEP engineer from south Florida, works closely with a local civil engineer and architect to bring this project to fruition. However, in Afghanistan, the MEP disciplines are not taught as part of the engineering curriculum, nor is computer-aided drafting taught in the schools. To make sure that his drawing notes and changes are interpreted properly, Calante has also dedicated part of his time tutoring the Afghani team members and coaching them on how to build the new facilities to American military standards.

Through the efforts of Calante, the project has expanded beyond the rebuilding efforts to become an opportunity for a significant transfer of knowledge and skills that the Afghani team members may continue to use well into the future.