International Security Assistance Force - ISAF Command Structure As of 2011

ISAF Command Structure As of 2011

See also: Afghan War order of battle

Throughout the four different regional stages of ISAF the number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) began growing. The expansion of ISAF, during October 2006, to all provinces of the country brought the total number of PRTs to twenty-four (24). The teams are led by different members of ISAF mission. PRT at Wardak was installed in November 2006, which is led by Turkey. This brought the number to 25. The overall NATO-ISAF mission is led by the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, at Brunssum, Netherlands.

The headquarters of ISAF is located in Kabul. As of October 2010, there were 6 Regional Commands, each with subordinate Task Forces and Provincial Reconstruction Teams:

The lower strength numbers of the ISAF forces are as of 6 October 2008. The numbers also reflect the situation in the country. The north and west are relatively calm, while ISAF and Afghan forces in the south and east are almost under daily attack.

  • HQ ISAF at Kabul (Composite)
    • Commander ISAF directs three subordinate formations after a 2009 reorganisation. The Intermediate Joint Command (sometimes reported as ISAF Joint Command) has been established to run the tactical battle, on the lines of Multi-National Corps Iraq. Lieutenant General David Rodriguez commands the IJC. V Corps is being deployed from Germany to provide the IJC headquarters. Commander ISAF also supervises the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan and Special Operations Forces.
  • Regional Command Capital (Kabul) (approx. strength: 5,420)
    • The command of this region is rotating among Turkey, France, and Italy. At the moment, November 2009, Turkey is the leading nation in this region. The headquarters is in Kabul. On 31 October 2009 the Turkish Brigadier General Levent ÇOLAK took over command from a French Brigadier General. Most of the French forces in Afghanistan are in RC‑C. Strength in 2010 approximately 6,150, including three battalions in Kabul. Nearly all of the more than forty contributors have troops deployed to Kabul. The city has been under joint Afghan/coalition control since 2002 but came repeatedly under attacks of insurgent fighters.
    • Kabul International Airport KAIA (Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Hungary as of December 2010)
      • As of October 2009, the Bulgarian Infantry Company, part of the Bulgarian contingent (Herat, Kandahar) provides the security of the outer perimeter of KAIA, is so‑called Ground Defence Area – GDA. The Bulgarian company is under the command of the Belgium Force Protenction Group.
  • Regional Command North (approx. 4,400)
    • HQ RC(N), Camp Marmal, HQ Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province
    • RC‑N is led by Germany. Since 30 November 2009 the German Brigadier General Frank Leidenberger took over command of RC‑North. Strength: appx. 5,750, to be raised. Other forces in RC‑N include units from the United States of America, Croatia, Norway, Belgium, Sweden, and Hungary et al. The situation in RC‑N as deteriorated. Hotspots include Kunduz in northern Afghanistan and Faryab in the northwest.
    • Manoeuvre battalions, including QRF
    • Task Force 47 (special forces, see de:Task Force 47)
    • PRT MAZAR-I-SHARIF in Balkh province (Sweden and Finland)
    • PRT FEYZABAD (DEU) in Badakhshan province (Germany)
    • PRT KONDUZ in Kunduz province (Germany)
    • PRT POL-E KHOMRI in Baghlan Province (Hungary)
    • PRT Meymaneh in Faryab Province (Norway)
  • Regional Command West (approx. 2,980)
    • HQ RC(W) in HERAT, Herat province (Italy)
    • Commander as of May 2010 Brig.Gen. Claudio Verto (ITA). Strength: appx 4,440
    • Forward Support Base HERAT (Spain)
    • Manoeuvre elements, Task Force 45 (special forces task force see it:Task Force 45)
    • PRT HERAT in Herat province (Italy)
    • Shindand Air Base, Herat province
    • PRT FARAH in Farah province (USA)
    • PRT QALA-E-NOW in Badghis province (Spain)
    • PRT CHAGHCHARAN in Ghor province (Lithuania)
  • Regional Command South (approx. 35,000)
    • HQ RC(S) at Kandahar Airfield in Kandahar Province
    • Forward Support Base Kandahar (Multinational)
    • Combined Task Force Fury
    • Combined Task Force Lancer
    • Combined Task Force Arrowhead
    • Combined Team Uruzgan
    • Kandahar PRT in Kandahar City (Canada)
    • Uruzgan PRT in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province (United States, Australia)
    • Zabul PRT in Qalat, Zabul Province (USA, Romania)
    • Regional Command South also includes the provinces of Nimruz and Daykundi
  • Regional Command East (HQ Bagram Airfield) (approx. 18,800)
    • Apart from additional manoeuvre elements, RC‑E heads 13 Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) in the eastern and central provinces of Afghanistan. The headquarters is located in Bagram. Other forces in RC‑E include units from France, Turkey, New Zealand, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The province has been a staging ground for costly engagements. Hotspots include Kapisa, Nurestan, and Konar. Current commander is Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn (USA). The commander also directs the U.S. national force Combined Joint Task Force 1. Lead nation and main contributor is the United States. Strength: appx. 23,950, to be raised.
    • Task Force White Eagle (Polish forces' brigade in Ghazni Province)
    • Task Force 49 (ISAF SOF) in Ghazni province (Poland)
    • Task Force 50 (ISAF SOF) in Ghazni province, Paktika province (Poland)
    • Forward Support Base BAGRAM (USA)
    • PRT LOGAR in Logar province (Czech Republic)
    • PRT SHARANA in Paktika province (USA)
    • PRT KHOST in Khost province (USA)
    • PRT METHER LAM in Laghman province (USA)
    • New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Bamiyan, Bamiyan Province
    • PRT PANJSHIR in Panjshir province (USA)
    • PRT JALALABAD in Nangarhar province (USA)
    • PRT GHAZNI in Ghazni province (Poland, USA)
    • PRT ASADABAD in Kunar Province (USA)
    • PRT PARWAN (Republic Of Korea)
    • PRT NURISTAN in Parun (USA)
    • PRT WARDAK in Maidan Shar (Turkey)
    • PRT GARDEZ in Paktia province (USA)
  • Regional Command Southwest (HQ Camp Leatherneck) (approx. 27,000)
    • Regional Command Southwest was established in July 2010. It is responsible for security in the Helmand and Nimroz provinces in southwestern Afghanistan. Along with the Afghan government and security forces, seven other nations contribute to RC (SW) to bring security to the region. Those nations include the United States, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Georgia, The Kingdom of Denmark, The Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Republic of Estonia. Marine Major General Richard P. Mills, the commander of RC (SW), made history by being the first U.S. Marine to command a NATO regional command in combat.
    • Task Force Helmand (U.K. forces in central and northeast Helmand Province)
    • Task Force Leatherneck (U.S. Marines in northern, southern, and western Helmand Province)
    • Helmand PRT in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province (UK, Denmark, Estonia)

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