ADF - Command - Afghanistan

Introduction

Command arrangements for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Afghanistan are somewhat complex, and have changed over time. In March 2007, the Operation Slipper official website stated that an

"ADF National Command Element (NCE) consisting of about 30 personnel is located in Kabul and includes command, security and support staff."

This Australian National Command Element is subordinate to the wider Australian general command structure.

The NCE was relocated from Bagram Airbase to Kabul. The NCE in Kabul liaises with coalition command in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters and, since the third stage of ISAF expansion of responsibility in July 2006, with the ISAF Regional Command South based in Kandahar, and in turn with the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Oruzgan of which the Australian Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force based in Tarin Kowt is part.

Moreover the actual role of the Kabul NCE is complicated by the fact that the somewhat larger Australian National Headquarters – Middle East Area of Operations (ANH-MEO) based at Camp Victory in Baghdad is dual-assigned to support ADF units, and specifically "to exercise command and control of deployed Australian Defence Force units". Consequently, the NCE commander, Kabul, was also one of two Deputy Commanders, ANH-MEO.

In reality, the role of the ANH-MEO in Baghdad was at times remote from the realities of day-to-day operations in Afghanistan, with the result that there had been a greater emphasis on direct communications with Canberra, and prior to the appointment in 2007 of a Deputy Commander - Afghanistan at ANHH-MEO, there had been a recommendation that the ANH-MEO role in Afghanistan be removed.

Government sources

Enhanced Command and Control Arrangements in the Middle East, Brendan Nelson, Minister of Defence, Media Release 57/07, 18 Jun 2007

The Australian Government today announced that it has approved enhanced Command and Control arrangements for Australian forces deployed to the Middle East. In recognition of the recent decision to deploy more forces to Afghanistan, the Government has approved the appointment of a two-star National Commander for Australian operations in the Middle East. I would like to congratulate Major General Mark Evans on his appointment to this significant position which will better represent Australian national interests and further strengthen our strategic relationships throughout the region. The National Commander will be ably supported in this critical task through two Deputy Commanders who will continue to focus on our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Deputy Commander of Australian forces in Iraq is Brigadier Gerard Fogarty and Brigadier Jim Simpson will be the Deputy Commander of Australian forces in Afghanistan.  These two positions will enable a wider, more balanced and flexible approach to command and control for ADF operations throughout the Middle East.

See also

• ADF command - general, Australian Forces Abroad
• Australian National Headquarters – Middle East Area of Operations
• Commanders, Australian National Headquarters - Middle East Area of Operations, and JTF 633
• National Command Element - Afghanistan