Operation Enduring Freedom: Commands and HQs June 1, 2002
v.1.1 June 23, 2002
Johann Price
Notes
-
This chain of command wire diagram is no longer entirely valid. ‘Combined Joint Task Force-180 (Afghanistan)’ commanded by Lt. Gen. Dan K. McNeill built around half of XVIII Airborne Corp’s staff and answering to CINC CENTCOM took over responsibility for all Afghan operations from CENTCOM component air, sea, land and special operations commands at the beginning of June 2002. This move frees CENTCOM and component commands to plan and oversee other major operations such as Iraq in Spring 2003. CJTF-180 also replaces CJTF-Mountain.
This diagram expands Special Operations and Land Component Commands in particular, and civil affair to a lesser extent. In all there are some 7,000 US military personnel in Afghanistan. There are also roughly 2,500 non-Afghan, non-American coalition troops in support of OEF as well.
-
The Joint Interagency Task Force is a coordinating body containing field representatives from every major civilian (including intelligence and law enforcement) agency and military force with an involvement in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). A major part of their job is intelligence sharing and fusion aimed at ensuring that the Coalition maintains the initiative. In CJCS Gen Myers words “The mission of this task force is to help integrate the actions of their respective organizations into one cohesive war effort”.
-
JSOTF-N was built around the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and HQed at Khanabad AB in Uzbekistan. Both JSOTF-N and JSOTF-S have dedicated Special Operations Aviation Components. A major element of TF K-BAR’s work is Sensitive Site Exploitation – the surveillance and raiding of locations in southern Afghanistan suspected of containing Al Qaeda or senior Taleban related individuals, arms and intelligence materials. K-BAR is mostly composed of SEALs.
-
Task Force SWORD comprising of JSOC units and UK SF is commanded by Maj. Gen. Dell L Dailey. They began operations in Afghanistan early October, projected and supported from bases in Pakistan. TF Sword’s work continues in the trans-border area.
-
The Coalition Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force was constituted in its original form in mid-October of 2001. It is responsible for planning, coordinating and in many cases executing Coalition humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. By December of 2002 the CJCMOTF will reduce to battalion size and complete all current projects without assuming any new ones and will disband at the end of the year unless it’s mandate is extended. By this time it would have spent $ 3.5 million. As of June 2002 the task force will be a subordinate command of CJTF-180 and led by Col. C.J. Nutter.
All ground forces in Afghanistan were organised into subordinate task forces which answered to the CFLC(F) in Bagram. The US Special Operations Task Forces had a separate chain of command but in many cases their operations are in support of the CFLC mission at which time they come under CFLC(F) operational control. Both conventional and special forces now answer Commander CJTF-180(AFG)
Task Force 64 is the administrative command structure created to interface with all non-UK/US special forces and smaller ground combat forces provided by various national governments and under American operational control. Detachments of various sizes from TF 64 may be placed under the operational command of other fielded Task Forces for varying periods of time depending on their needs. Australian SAS operations for example have ranged from the deserts around FOB Rhino south of Kandahar in support of the Marines in November to the mountain caves of Tora Bora in December and January.
-
Task Force Rakkasan commanded by Colonel Wiercinski is built around elements of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Air Assault Division, 1/87 10th Mountain Division. and the Canadian 3 PPCLI Battle Group. TF Rakkasan will be relieved in place by Task Force Panther, commanded by Col. James Huggins & built around the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division
Task Force Jacana is the 45 Commando Royal Marine Battle Group, commanded by Brigadier Roger Lane. Brig. Lane will be replaced by Brig. Jim Dutton after June 2002.
-
Combined Task Force 58 commanded by Marine Brig. Gen. Mattis, and composed of three Marine Expeditionary Units and supporting US Navy amphibious squadrons concluded their deployment in Afghanistan 26th February 2002. They were the first conventional coalition units in Afghanistan.
-
Most contributing nations maintain a liaison element at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida. The degree of involvement in the planning process of course depends on the nation and the importance of their contribution. The UK’s representative for example is a 3-star officer. Heads of state and defence ministers will also stay in touch with their American counterparts.
