ASPFOR XXXVIII - 'Resolute Support'

 After a four-month deployment in Afghanistan ASPFOR XXXVII, formed by members of the 9th Light Infantry Regiment “Soria”, was relieved by ASPFOR XXXVIII, which is made up of personnel from the 64th Mountain Light Infantry Regiment “Galicia”, at the beginning of July.

The Spanish Force in Afghanistan (ASPFOR) XXXVIII will bring to an end the Spanish Army’s participation in the “Resolute Support” mission – although some personnel will remain at the General HQ in Kabul. They are expected to be deployed in Afghanistan until the end of the year.

The main task of ASPFOR XXXVIII is to provide security at the Camp Arena base. Logistic support will be provided by personnel of the 81st Logistic Support Group.

As part of the contingent at Herat there is a Task Group which acts as a Force Protection unit. The bulk of its members is from the 64th Mountain Light Infantry Regiment “Pirineos”.

The contingent also includes personnel from the 31st Engineer Regiment and the Signals Brigade.

In addition, the 29-member Military Advisor Team (MAT) includes personnel from Spain as well as other countries (Italy, Slovenia and Hungary). MAT is stationed at the Camp Zafar base, 20 km south of Camp Arena.

The team is charged with advising the members of the HQ of the 207th Corps of the Afghan National Army; organising courses in military training, group working sessions and instruction and training seminars; assisting officers and NCOs in their duties; and carrying out interviews to exchange experiences and knowledge. The aim of the mission is to improve the organisation and proceedings of the Afghan National Army in order to make it more professional and sustainable in the long term.

After leaving Herat, the current regional advisory teams will be transferred to the capital, Kabul.