KABUL, Afghanistan —The commander of International Security Assistance Force, General Stanley A. McChrystal, announced the establishment of a new NATO headquarters to oversee higher level training and mentoring for Afghan national security forces.
"Through better coordination and collaboration between the various organizations currently supporting Afghan national security force development, we will be able to develop a more streamlined, efficient and effective training program that allows for increased partnership with the Afghan security forces and accelerated progress in this vital security dimension of our mission here," said Gen. McChrystal.
Known as NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, the new headquarters demonstrates NATO-ISAF's commitment to Afghanistan. Under the new organisational structure, the U.S.-led training and mentoring efforts of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan will integrate with NATO-ISAF efforts into a common headquarters. The two organisations will synchronise missions under a single, dual-hatted commander to facilitate integration of operations. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV has been nominated as commander, a position which requires confirmation by the United States Senate.
NTM-A's key elements will include the provision of training and mentoring teams to the ANA and the ANP, ANA's institutional training, and ANP reform at the district level and below.
CSTC-A will continue to mentor the Afghan Ministries of Defence and Interior, and will be responsible for developing the Afghan national air corps, the logistics command, and the Afghan national military hospital.
By accelerating progress toward a self-sustaining and capable ANSF, NTM-A demonstrates NATO's enhanced commitment to transitioning towards Afghan ownership of its own security and affairs.