Jim E. Henderson, Jr., Certified Cost Engineer, USACE Afghanistan District Construction, Bagram Air Field, was presented with the Superior Civilian Service Award as he ended his two-year tour with the District.
His citation read in part, “For exceptionally meritorious service as a Cost Engineer, while deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel from November 4, 2016 to November 3, 2018. Henderson’s outstanding performance, expertise, and dedication to duty greatly contributed to the overall success of the District’s mission during military operations. Mr. Henderson’s distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the highest honors and traditions of civilian service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Afghanistan District, and the Department of the Army.”
He had an in-depth knowledge of cost engineering which vastly improved the effectiveness and integrity of Afghanistan District engineering and construction cost estimates, required by Federal Acquisition Regulations for all phases of the project award process, contributing greatly to the security and stability of Afghanistan.
Henderson’s skills and expertise proved essential well beyond the District during his two-year deployment. His work directly impacted the program delivery for the United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A), and the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Construction Chief Harry Kye said, “He possesses the expertise required for the wide spectrum of projects in this contingency environment. He provided Construction Working Estimates in support of Contracting and Project Management for the cost evaluation and award of more than 55 projects valued at more than $210 million. More than 40 Rough-Order-Magnitude estimates totaling more than $640 million of work, and over 20 Source Selection Evaluation Boards.”
Henderson’s support resulted in the award of the Northern Electric Interconnect Project (NEPS and SEPS); Parwan Prison upgrades; Afghan National Police Women’s Participation Projects; Rabhi Balkhi Hospital upgrades; Afghanistan Presidential Airlift Wing Repairs; Camp Commando School of Excellence; Joint Regional Afghan National Police Center Low Water Crossing; and the Tango Tech Building A Conversion Project which was recently turned over to the customer.
Having a huge support role in most of the projects under the District, Henderson also supported Camp John Pratt; National Mission Unit 888 Kunduz facility; Special Missions Wing Ramp 6 SHKIA project; Construction and Water Testing Services and the Operation and Maintenance Generator upgrades in Kandahar, among others.
Beyond all of that he also updated the documentation of Afghanistan construction cost factors which differ significantly from other areas of operations due to geographic and contingency environmental factors. As a result, these factors were used by District cost estimators in order to develop consistent, defensible independent government estimates for the nearly $700M in contracts for USFOR-A, CSTC-A, and USAID.
Besides loving what he does and doing it to the best of his ability, Henderson was at home with his fellow construction team mates as he said, “You can’t find a better group of people to work with and I’ve been blessed to have each of you as a true friend I can count on. I look forward to seeing you all again someday in the near future good Lord willing.”
That same group presented him with a blanket as Shane Thames said, “It was hard to find that color. Even the Afghans don’t like that “Clemson” color here. True Tiger colors are purple and gold!”
And Henderson humbly responded with, “I’d like to thank you guys for all your kindness shown me while working with you in Bagram Air Field these last two years. I truly appreciate this gift. I’ll definitely place it somewhere for all to see at my home or I might proudly place it on the wall in the Clemson House since the color is perfect for that there. Just needs a few Tiger Paws!”