22 June 2005

NATOs Afghanistan operation heads to Chagcharan News 13/06/2005 ISAF Press conference Background NATO in Afghanistan Multimedia Afghanistan map Preparations are on track for NATO to further expand its presence in Afghanistan, by establishing a third Provincial Reconstruction Team in the West, in Chagcharan, under Lithuanian command. Since early June, flights of C17 cargo aircraft have airlifted Lithuanian personnel and equipment into the Herat Forward Support Base. This is the logistics hub for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the West of Afghanistan. The expansion to the West began on 31 May, when NATO took command of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Herat and Farah and of the Forward Support Base in Herat. Extending security More than 80 Lithuanian troops are now on the ground, training and familiarizing themselves with ISAF operations in the region. The plan is to have the Chagcharan PRT operational by mid-July. The establishment of a fourth PRT, under Spanish leadership in Qal’eh-Now, will mark the completion of ISAF’s expansion to the West. The extended mission will provide security assistance in 50% of Afghanistan’s territory.