Afghanistan, ISAF Operations led by NATO

In July 2002, the first contingent of the Armed Forces became part of the coalition forces against terrorism in ISAF operation in Kabul and continued to gradually increase the representation and diversity of the engagement in tasks, almost in all the Regional Commands in Afghanistan, such as in Herat (West), Mazar-e Sharif (North), ISAF Headquarters in Kabul, NATO Training Mission in Kabul and Herat, OMLT teams in Kabul, Special Forces in Kandahar (South) and the Special Forces Trainers in Wardak (East). In total, 3041 military personnel participated in this operation.

More precisely, according the region and parties with which we cooperated in this operation, as follows:

Kabul (in cooperation with the Turkish Armed Forces)

Contingents were composed of a platoon with 22 people and they were part of the Special Forces Battalion, Rapid Reaction Brigade, as well as units of Land Force Command.
Until the 18th of October 2012, when this commitment was concluded, the AAF has engaged in mission to Kabul, acting as part of the Turkish Armed Forces contingent, 440 military personnel.

Kabul (part of A-3 Initiative)

In July 2005, in the framework of the “Adriatic Charter A-3”, the Armed Forces engaged in mission a team of 4 military in Kabul, as part of the joint medical group from Albania, Macedonia and Croatia, under the command of Czech Republic.
The Albanian medical team consisted of two doctors and two nurses. 8 teams (rotations) participated in this mission, a total of 32 military personnel from the structures of RRB (Rapid Reaction Brigade), JFC (Joint Force Command), CMUH (Central Military University Hospital) and SC (Support Command).

Herat (in cooperation with the Italian Armed Forces)

August 2007, the AAF increased the contribution to ISAF operation, with a company from RRB structures, JFC, with 112 soldiers, part of the Italian contingent in Herat.
August 2009, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania increased the contribution to ISAF operation, with a company from the Commando Regiment, JFC, with 110 soldiers, part of the Italian contingent in Herat.
Starting from July 2010, the two contingents were reorganized into a single contingent (without reducing the number), with 222 soldiers.
In total, 1964 military personnel were involved in mission to Herat, acting as part of the Italian military contingent.

Kandahar (in cooperation with the USA Army)

August 2010, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania increased the contribution to ISAF operation, with a contingent of Special Forces Battalion, Land Force, with 45 military personnel, as part of the 525th Surveillance Brigade, Joint Task Force, USA, to participate in combat operations.
In total, 188 military personnel have been engaged in this mission.

The contingent’s financial support was provided by the Albanian side, and the logistical support, including strategic transport for sending troops to the region of operation, was carried out by the American side.

 
Kabul (OMLT Team)

August 2011, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania increased the engagement in ISAF mission, with an OMLT team (a joint - team with the National Guard of the State of New Jersey), composed by 32 military personnel, of which 20 military selected by AAF structures.

The transformation and transition from OMLT - A (Operational Mentor and Liaison Team in Afghanistan), into MAT – A (Military Advisory Team in Afghanistan), was based on the change of the Operational Concept (NATO ConOps) for the training of Afghan National Army, which was conducted during the second quarter of 2013, through a gradual transfer of responsibilities from OMLT teams to the MAT-A teams, which operated in Regional Commands of ISAF operation, led by NATO, in Afghanistan.