Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan
Encyclopedia
The Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A) is a multinational military formation. Its primary role is the training and development of Afghan security forces like the Afghan National Army
. Its headquarters is at Camp Eggers
, Kabul
. Under CSTC-A’s operational control is Task Force Phoenix
, which is responsible for training the Afghan National Army.
Lieutenant General Daniel P. Bolger
is the current commanding general. Command Sergeant Major Ralph R. Beam is the senior non-commissioned officer. The commanding general of CSTC-A is double-hatted as the commander of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
.
The senior leadership staff is dominated by U.S. Army officers, but Canadian, Polish, and British officers also serve. The Canadians are part of the unit under Operation Archer
. Major General Robert W. Cone
handed over command to Formica on January 15, 2009. Formica is the sixth commanding general of CSTC-A, which was established in May 2002 by renaming the U.S. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan. In April 2006, the Office of Security Cooperation-Afghanistan became CSTC-A, retaining the dual Army/Police mission that had seen OSC-A replace OMC-A earlier.
In partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO, and some other non-NATO partners such as Australia and New Zealand, CSTC-A plans, programs and implements reform of the Afghan security forces which consist of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP) in order to develop a stable Afghanistan
, strengthen the rule of law
, and deter and defeat terrorism
within its borders.
CSTC-A is engaged in the development of the Afghan National Army
, by assisting in Ministerial development, creation of institutional and intermediate Commands and the training of tactical forces in order to create a professional Army and Air Corps capable of providing security within Afghanistan's borders.
CSTC-A's recent assumption of the United States Government
's role in reforming the Afghan National Police
provides a historic opportunity to help provide stable rule of law in Afghanistan. CSTC-A works with Germany
, the lead nation in Afghan Police reform, and other members of the international community to collectively deliver a professional police force that will enhance the security of the Afghan people.
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
. Its headquarters is at Camp Eggers
Camp Eggers
Camp Eggers is a military base in Kabul, Afghanistan. located near the US Embassy and the President of Afghanistan's Palace. The camp is named after Capt. Daniel W...
, Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
. Under CSTC-A’s operational control is Task Force Phoenix
Task Force Phoenix
Task Force Phoenix, or more properly known as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix , is an international military formation. It was organized by the United States Central Command in 2003-2004 to train and mentor the newly-created Afghan National Security Forces to establish and maintain law and...
, which is responsible for training the Afghan National Army.
Lieutenant General Daniel P. Bolger
Daniel P. Bolger
Daniel P. Bolger of Aurora, Illinois is a Lieutenant General of the United States Army.Formerly the Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas and U.S...
is the current commanding general. Command Sergeant Major Ralph R. Beam is the senior non-commissioned officer. The commanding general of CSTC-A is double-hatted as the commander of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan operates under a dual-hatted command, with one commander for both the US-led Combined Security Transition Command- Afghanistan and the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan...
.
The senior leadership staff is dominated by U.S. Army officers, but Canadian, Polish, and British officers also serve. The Canadians are part of the unit under Operation Archer
Operation Archer
Operation Archer is the Canadian Forces contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It began in July 2005 with the deployment of a 220 member "theater activation team" to Kandahar....
. Major General Robert W. Cone
Robert W. Cone
Robert William Cone is a United States Army four-star general and is currently the Commanding General of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. He assumed command of TRADOC on 29 April 2011...
handed over command to Formica on January 15, 2009. Formica is the sixth commanding general of CSTC-A, which was established in May 2002 by renaming the U.S. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan. In April 2006, the Office of Security Cooperation-Afghanistan became CSTC-A, retaining the dual Army/Police mission that had seen OSC-A replace OMC-A earlier.
In partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO, and some other non-NATO partners such as Australia and New Zealand, CSTC-A plans, programs and implements reform of the Afghan security forces which consist of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP) in order to develop a stable Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, strengthen the rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
, and deter and defeat terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
within its borders.
CSTC-A is engaged in the development of the Afghan National Army
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
, by assisting in Ministerial development, creation of institutional and intermediate Commands and the training of tactical forces in order to create a professional Army and Air Corps capable of providing security within Afghanistan's borders.
CSTC-A's recent assumption of the United States Government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
's role in reforming the Afghan National Police
Afghan National Police
The Afghan National Police - ANP - is the primary national police force in Afghanistan. It serves as a single law enforcement agency all across the country. The Afghan police force was first created with the establishment of the Afghan nation in the early 18th century...
provides a historic opportunity to help provide stable rule of law in Afghanistan. CSTC-A works with Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, the lead nation in Afghan Police reform, and other members of the international community to collectively deliver a professional police force that will enhance the security of the Afghan people.