Afghanistan/Iraq: On Ground Updates - October 06, 2008

Afghanistan/Iraq: On Ground Updates
Defense Department Activates U.S. Forces-Afghanistan
Monday, October 06, 2008

The Department of Defense announced today the activation of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), a functioning command and control headquarters for U.S. forces operating in Afghanistan.

USFOR-A will be commanded by Gen. David D. McKiernan, who also will continue to serve as the NATO/International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander.

The stand-up of the USFOR-A headquarters is intended to enable the most efficient command and control of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and ensure effective integration and coordination between U.S. and coalition forces operating under NATO/ISAF.

The majority of U.S. resources and personnel not dedicated to ISAF are committed to training the Afghan National Security Forces through Combined Security Transition Command- Afghanistan. As USFOR-A commander, Gen. McKiernan is now responsible for the overall training mission and able to help tailor it to ensure Afghan forces are best prepared to operate with ISAF forces and provide security and stability to the nation of Afghanistan.

Under this new arrangement, the approximately 20,000 U.S. forces, operating as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, will come under the operational control of USFOR-A. The ISAF and OEF chains of command will remain separate and distinct, and U.S. Central Command will continue to oversee U.S. counterterrorism and detainee operations.

For additional information regarding this announcement, please contact USFOR-A Media Relations at 011-93-79-951-1155.

From DoD press release #846-08

>> Also in the news today out of Iraq:

Two U.S. Helicopters Collide at Baghdad Base

Two U.S. helicopters collided Oct. 4 as they were landing at a coalition force base near Adhamiyah in northwest Baghdad.

One Iraqi soldier died. Three U.S. soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers were injured.

Hostile fire is not suspected to have caused the crash, officials said. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Officials did not release the make of helicopters involved.

This accident comes on the heels of a crash just two weeks ago that killed seven soldiers when CH-47 Chinook helicopter they were traveling in Sept. 18 went down near Tallil in southern Iraq.

Taken from a news article by DoD’s American Forces Press Service - Based on a Multinational Force Iraq News Release