Camp Marmal is the largest base of the Bundeswehr

Bundeswehr

The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...

 outside of Germany. It is located outside of Mazar-e Sharif

Mazar-e Sharif

Mazār-i-Sharīf or Mazār-e Sharīf is the fourth largest city of Afghanistan, with a population of about 375,000 as of 2006. It is the capital of Balkh province and is linked by roads to Kunduz in the east, Kabul in the south-east, Herat to the west and Uzbekistan to the north...

, Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...

, at the foot of the Hindu Kush

Hindu Kush

The Hindu Kush is an mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. The highest point in the Hindu Kush is Tirich Mir in the Chitral region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.It is the westernmost extension of the Pamir Mountains, the Karakoram Range, and is a...

 mountains. The camp was opened in September 2005. The camp gets its name from the bordering Marmal Mountains.

The camp hosts the staff of the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Regional Command North of the International Security Assistance Force

International Security Assistance Force

The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...

 (ISAF), as well as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF).

Major General Hans-Werner Fritz has been commander of RC-North since 20 June 2010, as well as leader of the German ISAF contingent and commanding general of the German Special Forces Division, serving under the NATO ISAF commanding general, U.S. General David Petraeus

David Petraeus

David Howell Petraeus is the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, sworn in on September 6, 2011. Prior to his assuming the directorship of the CIA, Petraeus was a four-star general serving over 37 years in the United States Army. His last assignments in the Army were as commander...

. Major General Fritz's deputy commander is U.S. Army Brigadier General Sean Mulholland.

More than 5,000 soldiers are currently stationed at Camp Marmal. Additional forces come from the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, Croatia

Croatia

Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...

 and 14 other NATO nations.
From Camp Marmal, ISAF soldiers conduct work in Northern Afghanistan related to physical security and joint civil/military projects, in addition to the major task of supplying the five Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT).

RC-North supports five PRTs: Kunduz, Feyzabad, Meymaneh, Pol-e Khomri and Mazar-e Sharif. RC-North supports and protects the nine provinces under their military administration through reconstruction efforts. Foremost is cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and Afghan security forces.

A large airborne detachment consisting of Tornado reconnaissance jets used to be stationed there but due were redeployed back to Germany in 2010. CH-53 and UH-60 helicopters are currently stationed there.

The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade was replaced by the 2-227TH Aviation Regiment, Task Force Lobos earlier this year and provide AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook support throughout RC North. The airfield is currently under a large amount of construction and expansion for future operations.

The base hosts a large medical center for ISAF forces and also local civilians.

The base has been heavily involved in supporting German combat operations in Afghanistan in early 2009.

Medical Services

The German military hospital was completed in 2007. Its primary purpose is to provide emergency services to the ISAF troops. German civilians in Afghanistan and aid workers are also served, either under contract or in cases of emergency. Local Afghans are also cared for, as capacity and means permit.

Along with two operating units, there are specialists, outpatient clinics, intensive and intermediate care stations. The hospital, pharmacy, and laboratory have approximately 80 military personnel.

Camp Nidaros

Camp Nidaros is the Norwegian part of the camp and is located within Camp Marmal itself. It began operating in 2006.

The Atrium

Planet Mazar
There is a recreation facility at Camp Marmal called Planet Mazar located in the atrium. Planet Mazar offers pool tables, dart boards, foosball tables and a poker table.

Internet Café
There is also an Internet Café in which service members and contractors can connect to the pay-as-you-go internet with laptops or use the desktops provided. Internet card can be purchased at Planet Mazar.

Fitness Center
The German Fitness Center is located by The Atrium. All personnel must change shoes prior to working out.

Cafés
There are two cafés located in the atrium, The Lounge and K2.

Restaurant
There is one restaurant located in the atrium, The Oases.
Various food items, coffee, sodas, and alcohol are sold at Planet Mazar, The Lounge, K2 and The Oases.

Bazaar

A bazaar is located on base. It is open every day but Friday. Local vendors sell a variety of items such as military paraphernalia, loose gem stones, Afghan rugs, DVDs, local cell phones and electronics.

A barber shop is also available at the bazaar.

Dining Facilities

There are three dining facilities (DFAC) on Camp Marmal: a German, American and a Norwegian. All personnel are required to wash their hands when entering the dining facilities.

Housing

Most U.S. personnel are housed in air-conditioned tents, with generally 8-10 people per tent.

Laundry

All laundry must be in the white mesh bags issued to personnel upon arrival. The laundry facilities are run by Ecolog. Expect next day pickup.

Mail

There are two post offices located on Camp Marmal. All packages must also be thoroughly inspected by the PO personnel before it can be sealed.

Money

There is one automatic teller machine (ATM) and Eagle Cash Machine located at the German PX. There is a Eagle Cash Machine located in front of finance but it's mostly used for withdrawing money.
Personnel may also cash checks or draw advanced pay from the Finance Office the Beach House.

Post Exchange

There are two PXs located on Camp Marmal.

The Norwegian PX accepts both euros, dollars, eagle cash and credit/debit cards. It has basic items such as shaving supplies, hygiene materials, snacks, drinks, cigarettes/cigars, and clothing items.

The German PX accepts both euros, dollars and eagle cash. It sells mostly clothing items.

See also

• ISAF
  International Security Assistance Force
  The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...