ASPFOR XXVII

Task force ASPFOR XXVII (Afghanistan Spanish Force) is an operational organisation created on the basis of several Armed Forces and Civil Guard units, with the Army contributing most of the troops.

The 7th Light Airborne Brigade “Galicia” provides the bulk of the over one thousand troops that make up ASPFOR XXVII. For nearly five months the task force will provide continuity to the work initiated by previous forces to help the Afghan government to exercise and extend its authority and influence over Badghis province, by creating the necessary conditions to achieve a safe and secure environment which permits the reconstruction of the country.

It is worth highlighting the role of Spanish teams within the task force, in particular the Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams which take part in the training of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police.

Spain is contributing to this effort alongside the international community: 48 countries are integrated into the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF)

The contingent is under the command of Colonel Francisco Rosaleny Pardo de Santayana. Its main component is the Manoeuvre Battalion, most of whose troops come from the San Quintín Battalion. It also incorporates Sapper, Signals, Cavalry, Logistic Support, Civil-Military Cooperation and Artillery Units – the latter, from the Airborne Light Brigade. It is supported by other Army units, such as the 41st Logistic Support Group from Zaragoza; the 1st Intelligence Regiment and Military Police, both from Valencia; an air detachment from the Air Force which also includes a Navy Tactical Air Control Party; and medical support resources from the Medical Brigade and Signals Command, from different units throughout Spain.

On 29 October 2010 an official farewell ceremony was held at the base "Cabo Noval" in the town of Siero (Asturias), headquarters of the 3rd Regiment “Príncipe”. Deployment in the area of operations began following that ceremony and lasted the entire month of November, in ten phases.

The Transfer of Authority for the operation took place on the morning of 30 November 2010 at the Provincial Support Base “Ruy González de Clavijo”, current headquarters of the Provincial Reconstruction Team. During the ceremony Colonel Rosaleny received the Unit’s flag from Italian General Marcello Bellacicco, commander of International Security Assistance Force Regional Command West, to symbolise the handover of responsibilities. On the Afghan side the delegation of dignitaries was led by the vice-governor of Badghis province and included the provincial chief of the National Department of Security, the provincial chief of Police and the mayor of Qala-i-Naw, alongside a sizeable representation of local authorities.

Deployment in the area of operations

At present the Spanish task force has its main base at the locality of Qala-i-Naw, capital of Badghis province, near the town’s aerodrome. That base is known as Provincial Support Base “Ruy González de Clavijo”. However, the force also includes units stationed at the Forward Support Base in Herat, known as "Camp Arena", such as the Logistic Unit’s rear echelon, the Helicopter Unit and a Role 2 Medical Support Unit.

Also detached in Herat, at the base "Camp Stone", is an Operational Mentor and Liaison Team with the Afghan army whose personnel come from Pontevedra and are members of the Airborne Light Brigade.

Finally, there are two forward bases at the localities of Ludina and Moqur. Both are reinforced company-type entities and constitute the spearhead of the force in its effort to extend northwards the area of security in Badghis province. They coordinate their activities with the Afghan National Army and its Spanish mentor teams as well as with US forces stationed in Moqur and Darrah-i-Bum.

The main component of the task force is the Manoeuvre Battalion. It carries out a wide range of tasks which include joint patrols with the Afghan army, with the aim of fostering an environment of credibility, confidence and stability in the region.

Reporting directly to the Provincial Reconstruction Team commander are several mentor and liaison teams with the Afghan army (OMLTs) and the Afghan police (POMLTs). The tasks of both sets of teams are similar: escorting, liaising, mentoring and advising are key in the coordination efforts in order to achieve the objectives set for the task force. In Qala-i-Naw there are currently an infantry Operational Mentor and Liaison Team to advise a Kandak (Afghan infantry battalion) and a Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team to advise provincial police HQ and district police officers.

As part of the efforts to support the Afghan Government in Badghis province by maintaining a safe environment and promoting reconstruction and development, the Spanish Provincial Reconstruction Team is supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, which is under the authority of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Finally, Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), which bring a direct benefit to the population, are also an important element to fulfil the mission.

Challenges facing ASPFOR XXVII

The Task Force has several key objectives, including:

• Increasing the security area within its area of responsibility by expanding it to the locality of Darra-i-Bum along the Opal route, as well as extending and improving the existing security area on the Lithium route towards Mangan.
• Hosting within its area of responsibility an Afghan National Army brigade together with its Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams, and carrying out joint security operations.
• Supporting the governability of the province by promoting ongoing development programmes – particularly the new reintegration programme, which will serve as a pilot and is expected to be extended to the rest of Afghanistan.