UK military operations in Afghanistan are currently conducted under the name Operation HERRICK.  They have also been conducted under the names Operation VERITAS and Operation FINGAL (ISAF)

Operation JACANA, conducted by 45 Commando Group, included Operations PTARMIGAN, SNIPE, CONDOR and BUZZARD.

Afghanistan Roulement Infantry Battalion (ARIB)

The ARIB is currently based on the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles.  2 RGR will roule with the 1st Battalion Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry in October 2005.

The ARIB forms the major part to the UK commitment to Afghanistan and contributes to the multi-national International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).  The Battalion is involved in a variety of peace support operations in Kabul and in the northern provinces.  The task of the ARIB is to assist the Afghan Government in maintaining a stable and secure environment to allow the country to rebuild itself.  The ARIB is divided into three distinct roles:

Kabul Patrols Company (KPC)

The KPC is responsible for maintaining the security in three of Kabul’s 16 Police Districts.  Their area of responsibility includes the infamous Olympic football stadium where the Taliban used to conduct public executions.  Soldiers patrol the streets of Kabul on foot and in open top vehicles and wherever possible mix with the local population in an attempt to build trust and understanding.

Afghan National Army Training Team (ANATT)

The Afghan National Army was formed after the collapse of the Taliban.  It is commanded by the Afghan Government but works closely with the multi-national security force.  The UK ANATT is responsible for the training of corporals, sergeants and junior officers.  An important part of their training is the development of leadership and the qualities expected from professional soldiers.  This will be an essential part of rebuilding a just and accountable army able to maintain the security after the multi-national force has left.

Provisional Reconstruction Teams (PRT)

ISAF commands the PRTs in Northern Afghanistan.  The UK PRT is based in Mazar-e-Sharif, the largest city in northern Afghanistan, situated close to the Uzbekistan border.  The PRTs support the local government as well as non-governmental organisations in their efforts to rebuild the country at the regional level.  Principally, they are involved in fostering relations with the key political figures whilst, at the same time, promoting the Afghan national governmental initiatives to improve security within Afghanistan.  The PRTs form smaller self-sufficient teams, known as Military Observer Teams (MOTs), which travel out to the more remote regions to meet with the local community and regional leaders, with the aim of promoting the authority of central and regional government.

Harrier GR7 Detachment

On 25 August 2004, the Secretary of State for Defence announced the UK's decision to deploy under coalition control six RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft to Kandahar, Afghanistan, for an initial period of nine months.  This is the first time in the current campaign in Afghanistan that the UK has deployed combat aircraft.  The Harriers provide a close air support and a reconnaissance capability to both the US-led coalition forces and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).  The deployment was carefully timed to coincide with the Afghan Presidential elections on the 9 October 2004, during which the RAF contributed to maintaining a secure environment enabling the first democratic presidential elections to take place. 

The Secretary of State for Defence announced on 7 July 2005 the UK's decision to extend the deployment for a period of two months to the end of August 2005.  Since the end of August 2005 the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief Secretary at the Treasury have been considering proposals regarding the future of the Harrier GR7 deployment but no final decisions have yet been made.  In the meantime, the Harriers will continue in their mission.   The deployment forms a part of Operation HERRICK, the name for our military operations in Afghanistan.  The detachment is currently provided by No. 4 Squadron, Royal Air Force, with about 170 personnel based in Kandahar.

ARCHIVE OF UK FORCES IN THEATRE

• Operation FINGAL: ISAF composition
• UK Forces participating in Operation VERITAS