Resolute Support Mission

Resolute Support Mission
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Conflict	Resolute Support Mission
Part of	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Date	January 1, 2015 - August 29, 2021
Place	Afghanistan

Resolute Support Mission. The mission was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) training, advising, and assisting operation in Afghanistan, led by the United States Department of Defense in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense (Afghanistan). It involved Australian Defence Force, Canadian Armed Forces, and German Armed Forces personnel, among others, with the goal of supporting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in their fight against the Taliban and other insurgent groups, such as the Haqqani network and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province. The mission was also supported by NATO Allied Air Command, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and the United States Central Command.

● Introduction

The Resolute Support Mission was launched on January 1, 2015, as a follow-on to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, which ended on December 28, 2014. The new mission was designed to provide training, advice, and assistance to the Afghan National Army (ANA), the Afghan National Police (ANP), and the Afghan Air Force (AAF), with the goal of enabling them to take full responsibility for the country's security. The mission was led by General John F. Campbell, who was succeeded by General John W. Nicholson Jr., General Austin S. Miller, and finally General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.. The mission involved personnel from over 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and was supported by organizations such as the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan.

● Background

The Resolute Support Mission was established in response to the Afghanistan Conflict (2001–2021), which began in 2001 with the United States invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent overthrow of the Taliban regime. The mission was designed to support the Afghanistan Peace Process, which aimed to bring an end to the conflict through negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. The mission also supported the Bonn Agreement, which was signed in 2001 and established the framework for the post-Taliban government in Afghanistan. The agreement was supported by the United Nations Security Council and the International Community, including countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as organizations such as the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

● Mission Objectives

The primary objectives of the Resolute Support Mission were to train, advise, and assist the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in their fight against the Taliban and other insurgent groups. The mission focused on developing the capabilities of the ANSF, including the Afghan National Army (ANA), the Afghan National Police (ANP), and the Afghan Air Force (AAF). The mission also aimed to support the Afghanistan Peace Process and to promote stability and security in Afghanistan. The mission was supported by the United States Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United States Department of Defense, as well as by international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. The mission also involved cooperation with regional countries, including Pakistan, India, and China, as well as with organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

● Structure and Organization

The Resolute Support Mission was led by a Commander of the Resolute Support Mission, who was responsible for overseeing the mission's operations and strategy. The mission was organized into several components, including the Train, Advise, Assist Command - Air (TAAC-Air), the Train, Advise, Assist Command - Capital (TAAC-Capital), and the Train, Advise, Assist Command - East (TAAC-East). The mission also involved several supporting elements, including the NATO Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan and the Theater Special Operations Command - Afghanistan. The mission was supported by the United States Army, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy, as well as by the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy. The mission also involved cooperation with other international organizations, including the European Union and the United Nations.

● Operations and Impact

The Resolute Support Mission conducted a range of operations, including training, advising, and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The mission also provided support to the Afghanistan Peace Process, including facilitating negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. The mission had a significant impact on the security situation in Afghanistan, helping to reduce the level of violence and promote stability. The mission also helped to develop the capabilities of the ANSF, enabling them to take on a greater role in securing the country. The mission was supported by the United States Congress, the European Parliament, and the United Nations General Assembly, as well as by international leaders such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Vladimir Putin. The mission also involved cooperation with regional organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

● Timeline and Transition

The Resolute Support Mission began on January 1, 2015, and ended on August 29, 2021. During this period, the mission underwent several transitions, including the transfer of authority from General John F. Campbell to General John W. Nicholson Jr. in 2016, and from General John W. Nicholson Jr. to General Austin S. Miller in 2018. The mission also saw a significant reduction in troop numbers, from over 100,000 in 2011 to around 8,000 in 2020. The mission was replaced by the Kabul Security Force, which is responsible for providing security in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan. The transition was supported by the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of State, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, as well as by international organizations such as the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The mission's legacy continues to be felt in Afghanistan, with the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) continuing to play a key role in securing the country, and the Afghanistan Peace Process ongoing, with support from the United Nations and the International Community. Category:Military operations