NATO assumes command of Southern Afghanistan

From right, British Lt. Gen. David Richards, International Security Assistance Force commander, and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry, Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan commander, review the color guard during a transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield July 31. Command in southern Afghanistan was transferred from Coalition forces to NATO's International Security Assistance Force druing the ceremony. (US Army photo/Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon)

NATO assumes command in southern Afghanistan

Left to right, Afghan Minister of Defense Abdul Rahim Wardak; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry, Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan commander; British Lt. Gen. David Richards, International Security Assistance Force commander; and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force - 76 commander, salute during a transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 31. Command in southern Afghanistan was transferred from Coalition forces to NATO's ISAF during the ceremony. (US Army photo/Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon)

NATO assumes command of southern Afghanistan

U.S. Army Col. Bart Howard presents the colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 31. Command in southern Afghanistan was transferred from Coalition forces to NATO's International Security Assistance Force during the ceremony. Colonel Howard is the Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan chief of staff. The color guard is a mix of Canadian, U.S., Afghan and British personnel. (US Army photo/ Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon)

NATO assumes command of southern Afghanistan

Published Aug. 4, 2006
By Army Maj. Nancy A. Hansen
354th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- NATO's International Security Assistance Force assumed command from Coalition forces in southern Afghanistan July 31, continuing a process that began with the establishment of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul in August 2003.

ISAF, which assists the government of Afghanistan and the international community in maintaining security in its area of operations, subsequently expanded into the 13 provinces of northern and western Afghanistan , regions in which it also commands the military components of nine provincial reconstruction teams.

The southern Afghanistan area of operations includes six provinces - Day Kundi, Helmand, Kandahar , Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul.

The Coalition maintains responsibility for Afghanistan 's eastern region, also known as Regional Command East, comprised of the provinces of Paktika, Ghazni, Bamyan, Maydan Wardak, Logar, Khowst, Nangahar, Kabul , Parwan, Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan and Panjshir. Afghan and Coalition forces there conduct regular combat patrols to deny insurgents freedom of movement and sanctuary, to defeat the Taliban and related movements, and to prevent the re-emergence of terrorism in Afghanistan.

In addition, a significant Coalition effort is underway to expand governance, reconstruction and medical assistance to the eastern provinces.

Since May, ISAF has been led by NATO's Allied Rapid Response Corps, commanded by British Army Lt. Gen. David Richards.

"NATO is here for the long-term, for as long as the government and people of Afghanistan require our assistance," General Richards said. "We are committed to Afghanistan and its future."

ISAF will bring in the presence of more international military forces and will continue the efforts of the Coalition to provide security, as well as reconstruction projects and humanitarian assistance. ISAF expansion is crucial to the southern region's long-term progress.

"Today's transfer of authority demonstrates to the Afghan people that there is a strong commitment of the part of the international community to further extend security into the southern provinces," said Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Coalition forces. "This is a seamless transfer of responsibility and authority from the Coalition's Operation Enduring Freedom to NATO and ISAF.

"Having NATO, an organization consisting of 26 partners, including the United States , committed to Afghanistan 's future is good for the Afghan people and the entire international community," he said.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force assumed command from Coalition forces in southern Afghanistan July 31, continuing a process that began with the establishment of ISAF in Kabul in August 2003.