End of line for Task Force Helmand: Brits handover province
British-led Task Force Helmand comes to an end after eight years of frontline military operations in Afghanistan involving tens of thousands of UK servicemen and women.
The UK’s military headquarters in Afghanistan was disbanded on Tuesday in the latest major step in the drawdown of British troops.
Its functions will now be absorbed into the wider US-led regional command (south-west) in the latest step towards the withdrawal of UK troops from the country, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The milestone marks the end of the 16th Task Force Helmand operation for the British-led coalition task force, which also included soldiers from the US, Denmark and Estonia, and at its height had 137 bases across central Helmand province.
The move is the end of the UK-led combat mission in Afghanistan, but British forces will continue to support their Afghan counterparts in Helmand – providing training, advice and assistance until the end of UK combat operations later this year.
It comes after Task Force Helmand moved from provincial capital Lashkar Gah, where it had been based since 2006, to Camp Bastion in August.
‘Achievements and sacrifices’
Its disbandment is the latest in a series of steps marking Britain’s withdrawal of combat troops from Afghanistan – due to be complete by the end of this year.
Last month the MoD announced the closure or handover of three frontline bases in Helmand, leaving just one outside Camp Bastion.
Some 448 British forces personnel or MoD civilians have died in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “At this important point in the final year of the UK’s lengthy and crucially important combat mission, it is only right to reflect on the significant achievements – and sacrifices – of the past eight years.
“The servicemen and women who have fought under the command of Task Force Helmand have protected the security of the UK and its people; prevented international terrorists from using Afghanistan as a base; and created the conditions for a brighter, more secure and more stable future for the country.
“However, the job is not over yet and UK troops will continue to operate in often risky and challenging conditions in Helmand supporting the Afghan forces and continuing the redeployment effort, until UK combat operations are concluded later this year.”
International Security Assistance Force
Despite the closure of Task Force Helmand, UK troops will continue their mission in central Helmand province until the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) mission draws to a close at the end of the year.
The number of British personnel in the province has reduced from a peak of more than 10,000 to around half that number as Afghan National Security Forces have taken the lead in security across Afghanistan.
British troops will remain in Camp Bastion this year, either working in the coalition force under 5,000-strong predominantly-US Regional Command (south-west), which will support Afghan National Security Forces during this month’s presidential elections, or supporting the redeployment of equipment back to the UK.
At a ceremony to mark the end of Task Force Helmand, its final commander Brigadier James Woodham, said: “This is a significant moment in the drawdown of British forces in Afghanistan.
“It has been an honour to serve as the last commander of Task Force Helmand and command the soldiers of 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats, on operations.
“The task force has achieved so much since 2006 and I pay homage to all of those who have served under the task force.
“We are leaving Helmand in a better place and the Afghan National Security Forces are well set to continue to deliver security to the region.”