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 the XVIII Airborne Corps 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 affairs 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.
	CFLCC was established November 11 to coordinate, control, and synchronize all land operations in Afghanistan and surrounding countries. One of the command's operational goals is to destroy the al-Qaeda terrorist network and prevent the re-emergence of international terrorist activities within Afghanistan. US Army special forces missions and priorities were also determined by CFLCC. Both conventional and special forces now answer Commander CJTF-180 (AFG).
	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 headquartered at Khanabad AB in Uzbekistan. TF Dagger was commanded by Col. John Mulholland. Both JSOTF-N and JSOTF-S have dedicated Special Operations Aviation Components.
	JSOTF-S, (later known as TF K-BAR) and commanded by Commodore Bob Harward (USN) was built around a SEAL detachment. Also included were German KSK, New Zealand SAS, Canadian JTF-2, and Danish SOF detachments. 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 Taliban related individuals, arms and intelligence materials.
	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 its 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.
	TF 64 includes a number of coalition special forces and smaller ground combat forces placed under American operational control. Detachments of various sizes from TF 64 may be placed under the tactical control 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.
	TF Rakkasan commanded by Colonel Wiercinski is built around elements of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Air Assault Division and 1/87 Infantry, 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 over summer 2002.
	TF Jacana is the 45 Commando Royal Marines Battle Group, commanded by Brigadier Roger Lane. TF Jacana begins return to the UK on 4 July
	TF Warrior is the logistical task force at Bagram Airfield. It is commanded by Lt. Col. Edward Dorman
	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 26 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.

 

Johann Price johann@orbat.com Reproduced with permission from orbat.com

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