53-538: Timeline Major operations Airstrikes Major insurgent attacks 2002 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Massacres Other Operation Herrick was the codename under which all British operations in the War in Afghanistan were conducted from 2002 to the end of combat operations in 2014. It consisted of
106-681: A RAF base in late 2011 when the squadron's home station relocated to RAF Brize Norton , Oxfordshire . Eight General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon close air support fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force were deployed to Kandahar Airfield to support the expanded NATO operation in southern Afghanistan in late 2006. The Afghan government has been slow in rebuilding the facility, the vast majority of it has been reclaimed from years of neglect and damage by Soviet and Taliban soldiers. The interior gardens, pools, kitchen galley, restroom facility, and ticketing areas have been restored. With
159-492: A few locations in Afghanistan such as Herat, Kabul, and Jalalabad. The airport came into the public eye during the tense drama that was played out when Pakistani terrorists belonging to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen , who hijacked and landed Indian Airlines Flight 814 on the airfield in December 1999. During Operation Enduring Freedom in late 2001, Kandahar Airport was one of the first coalition bases established in Afghanistan. It
212-411: A footprint of at least 1,000 troops. A perimeter was quickly secured around the terminal building and airstrip, and initially all troops worked and lived in and around the main terminal building itself. The first spartan ablutions were established in the middle of a large rose garden out front, but shower facilities were not established for several weeks. The accommodation area began to enlarge down along
265-492: A group of Afghan policemen as a show of force. The Taliban made direct assaults on the British-held compounds, attacking with small arms fire, RPGs, and mortar rounds at short range. The British responded with airstrikes and artillery, often aimed right outside their compound walls, in what became a close quarters battle . Casualties increased on both sides, with many more Taliban casualties as their assault had exposed them to
318-573: A partial timeline of the War in Afghanistan . For events prior to October 7, 2001, see 2001 in Afghanistan . The army of the United States continues to conduct missions throughout Afghanistan, began closing forward operating bases (FOB). Kandahar International Airport Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport , also referred to as Kandahar International Airport ( Pashto : د کندهار نړيوال هوايي ډګر ), and by some military officials as Kandahar Airfield , KAF ) ( IATA : KDH , ICAO : OAKN ),
371-488: A siege of the town. Operation Mar Karadad (translated as Operation Snakebite) was commanded by HQ Task Force Helmand , a bolstered HQ 52 Infantry Brigade, supported by 82nd Airborne Task Force Corsair . Afghan troops supported by British, Danish and US troops fought for control of the town, which was a major Taliban drug trafficking station and the Taliban's only occupied village in the strategically crucial Helmand province. It
424-470: A sign of weakness on NATO's part. The deal would again be called into question when the Taliban retook the town of Musa Qala by surprise in February 2007, following the killing of a leading commander in an American airstrike. The town was eventually retaken by British and Afghan forces. By late September, 31 British soldiers had died in Afghanistan over the year. Corporal Mark Wright , was posthumously awarded
477-435: A squadron of Panavia Tornado GR4 aircraft, carrying out close air support and recce missions. The Royal Air Force also has a detachment of C130 K and J model Hercules transport aircraft from 24 , 30 , 47 and 70 Squadrons and its attached Engineering detachment from 24/30 and 47/70 Engineering Squadrons as part of No. 904 Expeditionary Air Wing , the squadron's home was RAF Lyneham , Wiltshire until its closure as
530-514: Is located in the Daman District of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan , about 9 NM (17 km; 10 mi) southeast from the city of Kandahar . It serves as the nation's second main international airport and as one of the largest main operating bases , capable of housing up to 250 aircraft of different sizes. The current head of the airport is Maulvi Fathullah Mansour. The airport
583-570: The Afghan Armed Forces . The Afghan National Police provides security inside and outside the civilian terminal of the airport. Other nearby airports to Kandahar are Tarinkot Airport in neighboring Uruzgan Province to the north, Qalat Airport in Zabul Province to the northeast, and Bost Airport in Lashkar Gah to the west. Kandahar International Airport was originally built in
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#1732852078631636-622: The Kabul Airport . During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan , the airfield was used intensively by the Soviet Air Forces , both as logistical facility for flying in troops and supplies and as a base for launching airstrikes against local Mujahideen groups. Fighting in the Kandahar area was particularly intense. However, Kandahar airport was left relatively untouched and its main building
689-460: The Royal Air Force of OF-6 rank. Commander, Kandahar Airfield has been held by: During late September 2007 a number of French Dassault Mirage F1 and F2000s relocated there from Dushanbe Airport , Tajikistan. The surge – Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI) The 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) deployed to Kandahar Airfield in February 2009 and
742-505: The Taliban and local anti-Taliban forces had been fought at the airport just days earlier, and when coalition troops arrived there were abandoned weapons – including a BM-21 still loaded with rockets – scattered around the terminal. Australian and Canadian special forces were amongst the first coalition troops to relocate to Kandahar Airport, and by Christmas Day the US-led coalition had established
795-670: The British contribution to the NATO -led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and support to the American -led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), within the country. Operation Herrick superseded two previous efforts in Afghanistan. The first of these was Operation Veritas , which consisted of support during the United States invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. The last major action of this
848-669: The George Cross and Corporal Bryan Budd was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross , the British Armed Forces' highest awards for gallantry. Brigadier Butler declared the Taliban to have been "tactically defeated" for the time being. The stress of operations was admitted to be unexpected by the Ministry of Defence , and there was increasing pressure to send more forces to Helmand. Lieutenant General David J. Richards said that this
901-1136: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: 3,000–3,500 [REDACTED] Taliban : 58,000-100,000 (As of February 2021) [REDACTED] HIG : 1,500–2,000+ (2014) [REDACTED] al-Qaeda : ~300 in 2016 (~ 3,000 in 2001) [REDACTED] Fidai Mahaz : 8,000 (2013) Afghan security forces: 66,000–69,095 killed Northern Alliance: 200 killed Coalition : Dead: 3,579 Wounded: 23,536 Contractors Dead: 3,917 Wounded: 15,000+ Taliban insurgents : 52,893 killed (2,000+ al-Qaeda fighters) Civilians killed: 70,000 Total killed: 176,206 (per Brown University ) 212,191+ (per UCDP ) The continued list includes nations who have contributed fewer than 200 troops as of November 2014. Timeline Major operations Airstrikes Major insurgent attacks 2002 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Massacres Other The following items form
954-570: The Taliban. British forces originally tried to provide security to reconstruction, but instead became engaged in combat. Platoon houses were soon established in northern settlements, due to pressure from the provincial governor for an aggressive stance. However, these quickly became a focus for heavy fighting. One of these was in Sangin , which was cut off and surrounded by the Taliban in early July. Eleven soldiers were killed in Sangin District over
1007-558: The UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced that 3,800 troops, almost half of the force serving in Helmand Province , would be withdrawn during 2013 with numbers to fall to approximately 5,200. The UK ceased all combat operations in Afghanistan and withdrew the last of its combat troops on 27 October 2014. Between 2001 and 24 July 2015 a total of 454 British military personnel died on operations in Afghanistan. With
1060-539: The UK would send a PRT with several thousand personnel to Helmand for at least three years. This had been planned as part of the gradual expansion of ISAF's area of responsibility from the Kabul region to the rest of Afghanistan. An initial strength of 5,700 personnel in Afghanistan was planned, which would stabilise to around 4,500 for the rest of the deployment. The move was to be a coordinated effort with other NATO countries to relieve
1113-568: The advent of jet aircraft , such stops were no longer necessary, and the airport saw little use. Some speculate that since the airport was designed as a military base, it is likely that the United States intended to use it in case there was a war between the United States and the former USSR . While the Americans were busy building the Kandahar Airport, the Soviets were busy in the north, building
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#17328520786311166-648: The airfield to where the current military base is located, and by April the coalition presence had expanded to several thousand personnel. The 159th Combat Aviation Brigade became the main U.S. Army Aviation unit at the airport while the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing became the main USAF unit. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy also had based a squadron of Harrier GR7A aircraft at Kandahar Airfield to provide close air support to coalition ground forces replacing USMC AV-8B's. After June 2009 under Operation Herrick they were replaced by
1219-842: The area for the Afghan National Army . The book "The Junior Officers Reading Club" documents Operation Silicon. Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001%E2%80%932021) Invasion (2001): [REDACTED] Northern Alliance [REDACTED] United States [REDACTED] United Kingdom [REDACTED] Canada RS phase (2015–2021): [REDACTED] ISAF : 130,000+ (Peak Strength) [REDACTED] Afghan National Defense and Security Forces : 307,947 (Peak Strength, January 2021) [REDACTED] Resolute Support Mission : 17,178 (Peak Strength, October 2019) Defence Contractors: 117,227 (Peak Strength, Q2 2012) [REDACTED] High Council of
1272-511: The associated support equipment. As of January 2012, Kandahar Airfield has a population of roughly 26,000 personnel. The United States Army Corps of Engineers began expansion work with the addition of new facilities for the Afghan Air Force . Since 2011, modified Beechcraft King Airs have been used by the US Army for surveillance and reconnaissance within Afghanistan. In 2019 the airport
1325-449: The circumstances. Realising that the situation could not carry on unchanged, British commanders approached local tribal leaders to organise a temporary ceasefire. Through pressure from the local tribal elders and their mounting casualties, the Taliban agreed to withdraw from the contested towns at the same time as the British, having been unable to realise their goal of forcibly expelling the foreign troops. NATO estimated Taliban losses over
1378-488: The continued terrorist threat facing Britain and the world. Building a strong Afghan state is a long and difficult task. The Liberal–Conservative coalition government (May 2010 – May 2015) declared that Afghanistan was the UK's top foreign policy priority. Between 2002 and 2003, the primary component of Herrick remained the 300 personnel providing security in Kabul and training to the new Afghan National Army (ANA). In mid-2003,
1431-552: The early 1960s by the United States for a cost of about 15 million U.S. dollars. The airfield itself was completed in 1962 by an American company known as Morrison–Knudsen , which was contracted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Bearing a great resemblance to typical Afghan architecture of the time, its original purpose was a safe refueling stop for long-range piston engined aircraft traveling between Europe and Southeast Asia . However, with
1484-592: The end of combat operations, British military operations in Afghanistan focused on training as part of Operation Toral , the UK's contribution to the NATO Resolute Support Mission . This operation ended in July 2021. It was the UK Government's position that the UK could not disengage from Afghanistan and so retained an active military presence until December 2014 (particularly Helmand province) because of
1537-435: The full scope of NATO's heavier firepower. Numbers of civilian casualties and damage to local infrastructure increased. The NATO forces grew increasingly concerned that they were alienating residents with heavy-handed tactics, in spite of their intention to win " hearts and minds ". It was also becoming clear that the British did not have the number of troops and helicopters to sustain the platoon house strategy indefinitely under
1590-403: The headquarters of ISAF for a year. The attached British infantry and signals personnel raised the number of troops based in Kabul to 1,300. In 2004, a detachment of six Royal Air Force fighters from Joint Force Harrier was based at Kandahar Airfield to support American OEF forces there. A planned withdrawal in mid-2006 was postponed to provide air support for the new ISAF expansion across
1643-474: The machinery. In between early March to late May 2007, the British led Operation Achilles , NATO's drive to push the Taliban out of Helmand. In early May 2007 Operation Silver, a sub-operation of Achilles, successfully expelled Taliban fighters from the town of Sangin . It was followed in mid-May by Operation Silicon, where British led forces removed the Taliban from Gereshk and much of the surrounding countryside. The Royal Engineers then set up three camps in
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1696-619: The main deployment, the Royal Engineers constructed a central fortification, Camp Bastion , to serve as a main base. A camp for an Afghan force (Camp Shorabak, initially for 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps ) was built nearby. On 1 May, the US OEF force was relieved in a ceremony. At the same time, the United States began a major offensive, Operation Mountain Thrust , against the insurgency in south Afghanistan. This brought ISAF forces into open conflict with
1749-464: The number of aircraft operations at the base from 1,700 to 5,000 flights a week. The numbers meant that Kandahar had become the busiest one-runway airport in the world. According to OSGEOINT (Open Source Imagery & Geospacial Intelligence), imagery analysis shows 2 deployments of unmanned aerial vehicles on the northeast section of the airfield. These two deployments were current as of 2012 and consisted of four MQ-1 Predators and four MQ-9 Reapers with
1802-701: The operation became battalion strength when a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) was established in Mazari Sharif and in Maymana . The UK also provided a rapid reaction force for the area. Overall command of the PRTs was transferred to ISAF in 2004. Sweden and Norway took over these PRTs in 2005 and 2006 respectively to allow the UK to focus on south Afghanistan. In early 2006, the NATO Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) became
1855-549: The predominantly American OEF presence in the south. To this end, the Netherlands and Canada would lead similar deployments in Oruzgan and Kandahar respectively. Several other countries would support this move with troops. In the case of Helmand, Denmark sent 750 troops while Estonia would increase their Helmand force to 150 soldiers. Local Taliban figures voiced opposition to the incoming force and pledged to resist it. Before
1908-479: The same time, Canada also fielded a battle group for two successive six-month rotations, and deployed a new rotation for the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar. The deployments in February 2006 brought Task Force Afghanistan in Kandahar to about 2,250 personnel. The mission of TFA was to improve the security situation in the southern areas, and play a key role in
1961-477: The south and fLee direct into the Helmand province. Fast jets and combat helicopters were also deployed as this is the main airport in the south of the country. NATO operated a major trauma hospital at the base, treating battle casualties, including Afghan civilians and enemy forces. In July 2007, the post of Commander, Kandahar Airfield (COMKAF) was created as a NATO appointment which had been held by an officer of
2014-460: The south. The force was later reinforced with more Harriers and an RAF Regiment squadron. The Harriers were withdrawn in 2009 and replaced by a Panavia Tornado GR4 squadron on rotation. On 2 September 2006, a Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 patrol aircraft, serial number XV230 supporting Canadian forces in Operation Medusa crashed near Kandahar, killing all 14 service members aboard. The cause
2067-422: The subsequent period. On 16 July, with support from American and Canadian forces, 200 paratroopers were airlifted to take the town. In early August, 500 paratroopers and Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were airlifted to Musa Quala after violence flared around the platoon house. One British soldier was killed in the battle. On 25 August, several hundred soldiers were involved in a second operation to escort
2120-421: The summer period to be around 1,000 killed in Helmand alone. The British commander, Brigadier Ed Butler, later said the deal had come just 48 hours before Musa Quala was planned to be abandoned because of the risks support helicopters were taking. As a result of the deal, British forces peacefully withdrew from the settlement in mid October. The truce drew criticism from American commanders who believed it showed
2173-611: The town, when a land mine exploded. The Taliban insurgents withdrew from the area by midday on 10 December leaving the Afghan army and NATO forces in control of the town. This was the major operation of Operation HERRICK 7 for Task Force Helmand. In early February 2007, at the end of a six-week operation, the Royal Marines cleared 25 Taliban compounds in the proximity of the Kajaki hydroelectric dam in order to allow repair work to be conducted on
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2226-555: The transition from the U.S.-led multinational coalition to NATO leadership. This change was made in southern Afghanistan in the summer of 2006. Beginning in 2007, the airport was maintained by NATO under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) banner, although a prominent base for the US and Canadian Forces, many other Armed Forces were based there. British Forces used Kandahar as their main staging post for
2279-692: The transition of the U.S. passenger area terminal to the Afghans in 2005, the airport began to be used for civilian flights. It was used for the 2006 Hajj by Muslim pilgrims. With the closure of Camp Julien in Kabul in November 2005, most of the Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan were transferred to Kandahar province. Canadian Brigadier-General David Fraser took command of the multinational brigade from its headquarters at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) in March 2006. At
2332-627: Was a sweep in east Afghanistan by 1,700 Royal Marines during Operation Jacana , which ended in mid-2002. The second was Operation Fingal , which involved leadership and a 2,000 strong contribution for a newly formed ISAF in Kabul after December 2001. Command was subsequently transferred to NATO ally Turkey several months later and the British contingent was scaled back to 300. Since then, all combat operations in Afghanistan have been conducted under Operation Herrick. After 2003, Operation Herrick increased in size and breadth to match ISAF's growing geographical intervention in Afghanistan. In December 2012
2385-471: Was also the site of Airstan incident in 1995, as well as the Indian Airlines Flight 814 incident in 1999. Since 2007, the airport has been repaired and expanded. Its runway can support all types of aircraft, including a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III or an Antonov An-225 Mriya . The airport can be used for both military and civilian flights. The military section of the airport is maintained by
2438-542: Was built by Americans in the early 1960s. It was occupied by the Soviets during the 1980s Soviet–Afghan War , as well as serving as the Afghan Army’s 665th Commando Brigade headquarters. Following their withdrawal the airport remained in control of Mohammad Najibullah 's government until he stepped down in 1992. Thereafter, local military commanders took control of the airport until the American invasion in late 2001. It
2491-482: Was considered to be of symbolic importance to both international forces and insurgents operating in the area. There has been some civilian evacuation, partly aided by the aerial dropping of leaflets warning of the impending battle. In preparation, it was believed that the village was heavily mined by Taliban fighters. Sergeant Lee Johnson of the 2nd Bn The Yorkshire Regiment was killed shortly after 10am on 8 December 2007, whilst taking part in an operation to recapture
2544-779: Was largely intact at the end of the war. The airstrip did suffer extensive damage that was subsequently repaired by the United Nations in the mid-1990s to support humanitarian flights. The airport was mostly used at this time for military and humanitarian purposes, hosting regular flights of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to and from Kabul, Jalalabad , Herat , and Peshawar . Ariana Afghan Airlines (the national carrier of Afghanistan) also flew infrequent flights out of Kandahar to Pakistan and
2597-554: Was officially changed to Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport, in honor of Ahmad Shah Durrani . Drawdown Between 2008 and September 2014 the Belgian Air Component operated F-16s from here. Between May 2010 and September 2014 the USAF operated Beechcraft MC-12W Liberty aircraft from here for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. In May 2021, the Resolute Support Mission departed
2650-537: Was related to fuel lines. 4 more Harrier GR9s were committed in May 2007 bringing them to a total of eleven, along with an extra C130 transport plane and four Westland Sea Kings from the Fleet Air Arm . Harriers have been succeeded by Tornados. Merlin and Chinook helicopters are also based there. The majority of aircraft deployed for Herrick were based at Kandahar. In January 2006, Defence Secretary John Reid announced
2703-605: Was secured by the Light Armored Reconnaissance element of the US Marines 15th MEU and elements of the 26th MEU in mid-December 2001, just a few weeks after the first coalition footprint was established by the United States Army at Camp Rhino in the desert to the southwest. The airport was captured by an air insertion coinciding with a rapid overland push from troops based at Camp Rhino. Major battles between
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#17328520786312756-764: Was the first ESC deployed to Afghanistan assuming responsibility as the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan (JSC-A). Prior to their arrival, Sustainment Brigades managed the logistical operations however with the impending surge in U.S. Forces, the ESC was chosen for the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI) mission, as well as, coordinating sustainment distribution with joint, strategic and coalition stakeholders. 2009 surge and onwards The 2009 surge in NATO operations in southern Afghanistan pushed
2809-568: Was the heaviest persistent combat the British Armed Forces had experienced since the Korean War or the Second World War . As a result, Operation Herrick was increased to 7,700 personnel. Additional aircraft, artillery pieces (including 4 GMLRS ) and armoured vehicles (such as Warrior IFVs ), an additional Platoon of Snipers were also sent. As of December 8, 2007, an alleged 2000 Taliban rebels occupied Musa Qala. Coalition forces prepared for
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