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). So far, 2944 military personnel have participated in this operation.
More precisely, according the region and parties with which we cooperate in this operation, as follows:

Kabul (in cooperation with the Turkish side)
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 side)
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 increase 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 so far, 1964 military personnel have been involved in mission to Herat, acting as part of the Italian military contingent.
Currently, the 12th contingent (reorganized), from the structures of Land Force Command, continues to carry out its mission.

Kandahar (in cooperation with the American side)
August 2010, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania increase 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.

So far, 134 military personnel have been engaged in this mission.
Currently, “Eagle-4” contingent is carrying out its mission, operating in the city of Spin Boldok, Kandahar region.
The contingent’s financial support is provided by the Albanian side, and the logistical support, including strategic transport for sending troops to the region of operation, is carried out by the American side.
 
Kabul (OMLT team)
August 2011, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania increase 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, of which 20 military selected by AAF structures.
Currently, “Striking Eagle-3” contingent is carrying out its mission, a combined Albanian-American team, deployed at “Black Horse” Camp, Kabul, Afghanistan, and is mentoring to train, support and develop a combat support battalion of the Afghan National Army (ANA), for a period of 9 (nine) months according to the ANA’s training operational cycles, aiming the instruction, training and guidance throughout the training process of the ANA’s battalion, in all areas of responsibility for the continuous development of capabilities, including headquarters procedures for operations at the battalion level, military operations it carries out in accordance to the ISAF mandate.

So far, 60 military personnel have been engaged in this mission.

In cooperation with the American side is continuing the preparation of “Striking Eagle-4” contingent, but now under the nomination MAT-A (Military Advisory Team in Afghanistan).

Transformation and transition from OMLT-A to MAT-A, is based on the change of the Operational Concept (NATO COPNOPS) for the training of the Afghan National Army, which will be conducted in the second quarter of 2013, through the gradual transfer of responsibilities from OMLT teams to the MAT-A teams, which operate in Regional Commands of ISAF operation, led by NATO, in Afghanistan.

The total contribution of the Armed Forces from 2003 to February 2013 in ISAF operation in Afghanistan is 2944 military personnel.