War in Afghanistan order of battle, 2012

Last updated

This list covers coalition forces in Afghanistan in 2012. See the article Participants in Operation Enduring Freedom for coalition support for Operation Enduring Freedom from October 2001 to 2003. For coalition forces involved in NATO combat operations in the past, see the articles Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006, Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007, and Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2008.
The ISAF seal. Seal of the International Security Assistance Force.svg
The ISAF seal.
The ISAF flag. Flag of the International Security Assistance Force.svg
The ISAF flag.

Below is the disposition and structure of international military forces that were participating in the War in Afghanistan in November 2012, listing deployed units under the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which controlled both combat and reconstruction operations (often led by the Provincial Reconstruction Teams). During its existence from 2001 to 2014, despite the photos in this article only showing American soldiers, marines and sailors, the ISAF comprised units from many countries, including: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and others. In this article, units are assumed to be from the United States unless otherwise stated. This list is a rough and unofficial listing of units and formations.

Contents

International Security Assistance Force

A U.S. 25th Infantry Division soldier with the ISAF patrolling the Paktya Province in January 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120130-A-XXXXX-627.jpg
A U.S. 25th Infantry Division soldier with the ISAF patrolling the Paktya Province in January 2012.
A U.S. 4th Infantry Division soldier with the ISAF soldier during a joint operation with Afghan police in Kandahar in February 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120201-A-BF670-005.jpg
A U.S. 4th Infantry Division soldier with the ISAF soldier during a joint operation with Afghan police in Kandahar in February 2012.
A U.S. Marine with the ISAF walking alongside Afghan children in Afghanistan's Helmand Province in April 2012. Flickr - DVIDSHUB - Afghan National Police, 'America's Battalion' Marines maintain security in Garmsir (Image 9 of 9).jpg
A U.S. Marine with the ISAF walking alongside Afghan children in Afghanistan's Helmand Province in April 2012.
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF, with Afghan policemen in April 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120424-N-II659-183.jpg
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF, with Afghan policemen in April 2012.
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF in Farah Province in April 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120424-N-II659-271.jpg
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF in Farah Province in April 2012.
A U.S. soldier with the ISAF in May 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120509-F-YA200-010.jpg
A U.S. soldier with the ISAF in May 2012.
A U.S. sailor with the ISAF in June 2012. Devil Dogs Delivered (7174317837).jpg
A U.S. sailor with the ISAF in June 2012.
A U.S. sailor with the ISAF in June 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120609-N-II659-099.jpg
A U.S. sailor with the ISAF in June 2012.
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF in July 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120716-A-3108M-001.jpg
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF in July 2012.
A U.S. soldier with the ISAF in August 2012 engaged in battle. Defense.gov photo essay 120801-A-KJ310-009.jpg
A U.S. soldier with the ISAF in August 2012 engaged in battle.
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF in August 2012. Defense.gov photo essay 120827-N-II659-031.jpg
U.S. soldiers with the ISAF in August 2012.
An Afghan soldier in November 2012. 121114-M-YH552-022 (8202274605).jpg
An Afghan soldier in November 2012.
An Afghan policeman in December 2012. 121212-M-BO337-067 (8269591983).jpg
An Afghan policeman in December 2012.

The overall command of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in 2012 started from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe at Casteau, Belgium. The overall command was vested in Joint Force Command Brunssum at Brunssum in the Netherlands, then the Commander ISAF (COMISAF). The COMISAF in 2012 was USMC General John R. Allen, at ISAF Headquarters in Kabul.

There were three subordinate commands under COMISAF: the Intermediate Joint Command, which controls the tactical battle along the lines of the Multi-National Corps Iraq; the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, which trains the Afghan National Army; and Special Operations Forces.

The Intermediate Joint Command in turn controlled the regional commands, roughly analogous to divisions. There were six regional commands: Capital (at Kabul), South, Southwest, North, East, and West. Each regional command had a headquarters to provide command and control and logistics support for its area of responsibility, and comprised both combat units and Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs).

ISAF Cmd Str August 2009.jpg

Regional Command Capital

Combat units

UnitHeadquartersTasking
1st Battalion Motorized Task Force (Turkey)Camp Dogan, KabulResponsible for Kabul Province.
2nd Battalion Motorized Task Force (Turkey)Camp Gazi, KabulResponsible for Kabul Province.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

Regional Command Capital has no Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

Regional Command South

Combat units

UnitHeadquartersTaskingDates
76th Brigade Combat Team
Combined Team Uruzgan
Camp Holland, Tarin Kowt Responsible for Orūzgān Province.
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division
(Task Force Arrowhead)
FOB Masum Ghar, Panjwaye Responsible for Zabul Province and southern and eastern Kandahar Province
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division
(Task Force Lancer)
Camp Nathan SmithResponsible for Kandahar City and Arghandab District.May 2012 – January 2013
25th Combat Aviation Brigade
(Task Force Wings)
Kandahar Airfield Aviation support for Regional Command South.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

DesignationCompositionHeadquartersSponsors
PRT Kandahar Kandahar Lead country: U.S.
PRT Uruzgan Tarin Kowt Lead country: Australia
PRT Zabul Qalat Lead country: U.S.
Supporting countries: Romania
United Kingdom

Regional Command Southwest

Combat units

UnitHeadquartersTasking
12th Mechanized Brigade (United Kingdom)
(Task Force Helmand)
MOB Lashkar Gah Conducts ground operations in central Helmand Province.
6th US Marine Regiment.png Regimental Combat Team 6
(Task Force Leatherneck)
Camp Leatherneck Responsible for Nimruz Province and northern and southern Helmand Province.
3MAW embossed.png 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Camp LeatherneckAviation support in Helmand and Nimruz Provinces.
Joint Aviation Group (United Kingdom) Camp Bastion Headquarters for British aviation units.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

DesignationCompositionHeadquartersSponsors
PRT Helmand Lashkar Gah Lead nation: UK

Regional Command East

Combat units

UnitHeadquartersTasking
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
(Task Force Dragon)
FOB SharanaResponsible for Paktika Province.
4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
(Task Force Warrior)
Jalalabad Airfield Responsible for Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Kunar Provinces.
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
(Task Force Bayonet)
FOB Shank, Logar Responsible for Logar and Wardak Provinces.
101st Combat Aviation Brigade
(Task Force Destiny)
Bagram Airfield Provides aviation support for eastern and northern Afghanistan.
4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
(Task Force Spartan)
FOB Salerno, Khost Responsible for Khost and Paktia Provinces.
2nd Armored Brigade (France)
(Task Force Lafayette)
FOB Nijrab, Kapisa Responsible for Kapisa Province.
6th Airborne Brigade (Task Force White Eagle, Poland)FOB GhazniResponsible for Ghazni Province.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

DesignationCompositionHeadquartersSponsors
Prt lowgar.jpg PRT Logar 200 military personnel
10 civilians
FOB ShankLead nation: Czech Republic [1]
PRT GhazniLead nation: Poland
Supporting nation: U.S.
Provincial Reconstruction Team (New Zealand) Bamiyan, Bamiyan Province Lead nation: New Zealand
PRT KapisaLead nation: U.S.
Supporting nation: France
PRT ParwanLead nation: South Korea
PRT WardakLead nation: Turkey
PRT PanjshirLead nation: U.S.
PRT PaktikaLead nation: U.S.
PRT Mehtar LamLead nation: U.S.
PRT KhostFOB SalernoLead nation: U.S.
PRT NangaharJalalabadLead nation: U.S.
PRT PatkiaGardezLead nation: U.S.
PRT KunarAsadabadLead nation: U.S.
PRT NuristanLead nation: U.S.

Regional Command North

Combat units

UnitHeadquartersTasking
Task Force Kunduz (Germany)FOB KunduzOperating in eastern Regional Command North.
Task Force Mazar-e-Sharif (Germany)Camp MarmalOperating in western Regional Command North.
Expeditionary Air Wing Mazar-e-Sharif (Germany)Camp MarmalAviation support for northern Afghanistan.
3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
(Task Force Garry Owen)
FOB KunduzOperating in Kunduz province

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

DesignationCompositionHeadquartersSponsors
PRT KunduzLead nation: Germany
Supporting countries: Armenia
Belgium
U.S.
PRT Mazar-i-Sharif Lead nations: Finland and Sweden
Supporting countries: U.S.
PRT Meymaneh Lead nation: Norway
Supporting countries: Latvia
Macedonia
U.S.
PRT Pul-e KhumriLead nation: Hungary
Supporting nations: Albania
Croatia
Montenegro
PRT FaizabadLead nation: Germany
Supporting nations: Mongolia
U.S.

Regional Command West [2]

Combat units

UnitHeadquartersTasking
Task Force Badghis (Spain)Qala-e-NawOperating in Badghis Province.
3rd Alpine Regiment, Italy
(Task Force Center)
Camp La Marmora, Shindand Operating in southern Herat Province.
32nd Engineer Regiment, Italy
(Task Force Genio)
HeratEngineer support for western Afghanistan.
9th Alpine Regiment, Italy
(Task Force South)
Camp El Alamein, Farah Operating in western Farah Province.
2nd Alpine Regiment, Italy
(Task Force Southeast)
Camp Lavaredo, Bakwa District Operating in eastern Farah Province.
7th Aviation Regiment, Italy
(Task Force Fenice)
Herat Airfield Providing aviation support for western Afghanistan.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

UnitSub-unitsHeadquartersTasking
PRT HeratLead nation: Italy
PRT FarahLead nation: U.S.
PRT Qal'ah-ye NowLead nation: Spain
PRT ChagcharanLead nation: Lithuania

U.S.-led coalition

In 2012, the overall command of the U.S.-led coalition effort in Afghanistan—known as Operation Enduring Freedom—Afghanistan—was headquartered at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, which reported to United States Central Command. OEF-Afghanistan's two major commands in 2012 were Combined Joint Task Force 101, and the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A). [3] After the Stage IV transition of authority to ISAF, the status of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade/Task Force Falcon, which handles all the helicopter combat aviation duties in Afghanistan, was uncertain, along with the exact status of Combined Task Force Sword, the engineer task force, and the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. It was unclear exactly what units are assigned to OEF-Afghanistan, but the operation in 2012 was in charge of counter-terrorist operations, including pursuing al-Qaeda along Afghanistan's inhospitable border region with Pakistan. [4]

Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Security Assistance Force</span> NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan from 2001–2014

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was a multinational military mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. It was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386 pursuant to the Bonn Agreement, which outlined the establishment of a permanent Afghan government following the U.S. invasion in October 2001. ISAF's primary goal was to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions; it gradually took part in the broader war in Afghanistan against the Taliban insurgency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afghan Army</span> Land service branch of the Afghan military

The Islamic National Army, also referred to as the Islamic Emirate Army and the Afghan Army, is the land force branch of the Afghan Armed Forces. The roots of an army in Afghanistan can be traced back to the early 18th century when the Hotak dynasty was established in Kandahar followed by Ahmad Shah Durrani's rise to power. It was reorganized in 1880 during Emir Abdur Rahman Khan's reign. Afghanistan remained neutral during the First and Second World Wars. From the 1960s to the early 1990s, the Afghan Army was equipped by the Soviet Union.

Operation Athena was the Canadian Forces' contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The operation was divided in two phases: the first one took place from July 2003 to July 2005 in the Kabul region and the second one from August 2005 to December 2011 in the Kandahar area. The operation's main objective was to improve Afghanistan's security and governance. Operation Athena in Kandahar constituted the longest combat mission in the history of Canadian Forces. With over 40,000 Canadian military units that, at some point, entered the country—often several times—this operation constitutes the largest military deployment of the Canadian Forces since World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Law enforcement in Afghanistan</span>

Law enforcement in Afghanistan is one of three major components of the nation's criminal justice system, along with courts and corrections. The General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) is the intelligence agency of the government of Afghanistan. The Afghan National Police, which includes the Afghan Border Police and the Afghan National Civil Order Police, was the police force of Afghanistan with jurisdiction that covers the entire 34 provinces of the country during the Islamic Republic period. The Afghan National Police is responsible for civilian law enforcement. Originally a force of the Western-backed government, it was reorganized as an arm of the Taliban after its takeover of the country.

Combined Joint Task Force – 76 (CJTF-76) was a US led subordinate formation of Combined Forces Command – Afghanistan (CFC-A) headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan. It was active from the time CFC-A stood up to the time the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) took full command of the coalition military operations in Afghanistan in October 2006. CFC-A reported in its turn to United States Central Command. While CFC-Afghanistan was supposed to have inactivated sometime after November 30, 2006, CJTF-76 remained as a headquarters for ISAF's Regional Command East. CJTF-76 was replaced by Combined Joint Task Force 82, led by the 82nd Airborne Division, in the middle of 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Herrick</span> British operations in Afghanistan 2002–2014

Operation Herrick was the codename under which all British operations in the War in Afghanistan were conducted from 2002 to the end of combat operations in 2014. It consisted of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and support to the American-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), within the South Asian country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Participants in Operation Enduring Freedom</span> Countries that partook in the 2001 United States-led invasion of Afghanistan

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, several nations took on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. OEF was the initial combat operations starting on 7 October 2001, in the wake of the 11 September attacks on the United States, and during 2002 and 2003.

Combined Task Force 82 (CJTF-82) was a US led subordinate formation of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 2003 and 2007–09. It originally served as both the National Command Element for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, reporting directly to the Commander, United States Central Command, and as ISAF's Regional Command East. It was replaced by Combined Joint Task Force 101 (CJTF-101) in early April 2008. In May 2009, CJTF-82 returned to Bagram Air Field and assumed control of the east. Shortly thereafter United States Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) officially took over responsibility as the National Command Element for the theater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan</span> Military unit

The Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan was a multinational, U.S. led, military organization during the War in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007</span>

US and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2007.

United States and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Task Force Phoenix</span>

Task Force Phoenix, or more properly known as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, was an international military formation. It was organized by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2003-2004 to train and mentor the newly created Afghan National Army/Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to establish and maintain law and order throughout Afghanistan using Embedded Training Teams or ETTs.

In 2009, the United States and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition, along with Afghan National Army forces, continued military operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan. 2009 marks the eighth year of the War in Afghanistan, which began late in 2001. And 75th ranger regiment is also in Afghanistan as of 2018

<span class="mw-page-title-main">205th Corps</span> Former Afgan military unit disbanded in 2021

The 205th 'Atul' (Hero) Corps was a corps-level formation of the Afghan National Army. Its headquarter were located in Kandahar and it was responsible for the south of the country, partnered with the ISAF's Regional Command South.

Train Advise Assist Command – East was a multinational military formation, part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission within Afghanistan. Until 2014 it was designated Regional Command East, part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The United States Army provided the force headquarters. The command headquarters was located in Laghman Province.

The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) was a multinational military organisation, activated in November 2009, tasked with providing a higher-level training for the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Air Force (AAF), including defense colleges and academies, as well as being responsible for doctrine development, and training and advising Afghan National Police (ANP). The commanding officer was dual-hatted and commanded both NTM-A and Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) and reported to the Commander of ISAF.

Train Advise Assist Command – South was a multinational military formation, part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission within Afghanistan. Prior to 2014 it was designated Regional Command South, under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Task Force Kandahar (TFK) was the formation conducting the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Kandahar Province under ISAF Regional Command South. When it concluded its mission in summer 2011, the formation included a Canadian Forces battle group, three U.S. Army battalions, an engineer regiment, a signal squadron, Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs), and contributions to Operational Mentor and Advisory Teams (OMATs) and the Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (P-OMLT).

Combined Joint Task Force 180 was a provisional multinational land formation, primarily made up of units from the United States Army, that fought in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), especially in the initial invasion phase of 2001-2002. It was active from May 2002 to 2003/05. It was the senior headquarters in country reporting to United States Central Command.

References

  1. "ISAF – Provincial Reconstruction Team in Logar". Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  2. For more on Regional Command West, see "The Italian Job". Jane's Defence Weekly .(5 November 2008) and the Jane's Interview, same issue.
  3. United States Central Command, CSTC-A Official Website Archived 22 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Securing Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  5. Florida Army National Guard, Task Force Phoenix Archived 1 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine