Provincial Reconstruction Team

A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is a special military unit that provides security and helps with reconstruction in unstable nations. PRTs first began in Afghanistan in late 2001 or early 2002. Each PRT consists of a small operating base from which a group of sixty to a one hundred or more civilian and military specialists work to deliver aid and perform reconstruction projects as well as provide security for others who are involved in aid and reconstruction activities.

There are currently 12 US PRTs in Afghanistan. Within the PRTs in Afghanistan, there are typically three to five civilians; the remainder is made up of military forces. PRTs are backed by local and international security forces. PRTs were originally built and operated by US forces as means of facilitating reconstruction efforts in provinces outside the capital, Kabul. Following NATO's involvement in Afghanistan, command of some PRTs was transferred from the US to the nations under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

tructure

A PRT includes a military component (Civil Affairs/Force Protection, etc.), civilian police advisors, and civilian representatives of US (or other national) Government Foreign Affairs Agencies. In a US-led PRT, this generally includes a representative from USAID, the Department of State, and the Department of Agriculture, although there is a shortage of USDA representatives. There is no lead agency or department; the US Government civilians and the military commander form an executive committee of equals which develops a strategy for the PRT, drawing on the expertise of all contributing agencies. At this time, no other civilian agencies are represented on PRTs.

The PRT's have been part of the NATO-led ISAF mission since October 5, 2006. Further sections below give an account of the development of the PRT's and their activities.

The 1st Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was located in Gardez in Paktia Province, colocated with US Special Forces "A" team members. Civil affairs team provided the daily contact with locals and tribal leaders.

A contingent of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division provided security in and around the compound. The sole civilian when the PRT became fully operational on February 1, 2003, was Thomas Praster of the State Department. At the end of March, he was joined by former US Army Lieutenant Colonel, Randolph Hampton, who worked under contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) providing overwatch to the rebuilding of schools and medical clinics throughout Paktia, Khwost, and Ghazni Provinces.

Security was always an issue as the 100 by 125 foot mud walled compound was attacked over 35 times by 105 mm rockets and RPG's. The PRT initiative has been expanded throughout most of the provinces for the purpose of reconstruction and reconciliation programs throughout Afghanistan. The 1st Provincial Reconstruction Team laid the critical cornerstones to future PRT initiatives throughout Afghanistan.

Recent testimony to Congress indicates the PRT initiative in Afghanistan and Iraq will be a long and evolving process with challenges to include the recruitment of qualified US civilians, cultural differences, languages barriers and continuing sectarian violence throughout most of the provinces, both in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Locations and activities

Throughout the main stages of the ISAF operation the number of PRTs was growing. In this section, we will try to give an impression of the development and activities of the teams.

PRTs as of January 2006

PRT's in Afghan cities (and the lead nation - as of January 2006):

ISAF PRT's:
Baghlan (Netherlands, later Hungary since October 2006),
Chaghcharan (Lithuania),
Farah (US),
Fayzabad (Germany, together with the help of Denmark),
Herat (Italy),
Kunduz (Germany),
Mazari Sharif (UK, then Denmark/Sweden, then Germany),
Maymana (UK, then Norway),
Qala-e Naw (Spain)

Combined Joint Task Force 76's PRT's:
Asadabad (US),
Bamyan (New Zealand's Task Group Crib),
Gardez (US),
Ghazni (US),
Jalalabad (US),
Kandahar (Canada),
Khowst (US),
Lashkar Gah (US),
Mihtarlam (US),
Parwan (US/South Korea),
Qalat (US),
Sharana (US),
Tarin Kowt (Netherlands; Task Force Uruzgan, together with troops from Australia)

Canadian Forces provide similar services under the name Civil-Military Co-operation.

Since the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force took over command of the whole of the country on October, 5, 2006, the number of PRTs is 24. There are 5 regional command centers which the PRTs report to:

PRTs as of October 2006

*Regional Command Capital, Kabul (none)

Regional Command North

The HQ is at Mazari Sharif, and is led by Germany. There are 5 PRTs underneath it.

PRT Mazari Sharif

Led by Sweden.

PRT Kunduz

In October 2003, the German “Bundeswehr” took over command from the United States of the PRT at Kunduz [http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/C1256F1D0022A5C2/CurrentBaseLink/W26ASGG2219INFODE] . Germany is assisted by the Belgium-Luxemburg contingent in ISAF

PRT Maymana

The PRT at Maymana, the capital of Faryab province, was first led by the UK then Norway, with the help of Latvia. [http://www.http://www.mil.no/fol/afg/start/styrken/#3.] .

=PRT Fayzabad=

The PRT at Fayzabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, is led by Germany with the help of Denmark.

PRT Puli Khumri/Baghlan

In 2004 the Royal Netherlands Air Force led the first Dutch PRT in Pol-e-Khomri. In 2004 the Royal Netherlands Navy took over till October 2006. Many projects were started in the province amongst which are several schoolprojects, solar cooking projects, drinkwater projects, bridges were built, and a midwife symposium was organised in the hospital of Pol-e-Khomri. Hungarian forces took over responsibility, from the Dutch in octber 2006, for the Provincial Reconstruction Team at the town Pul-e Khumri (Puli Khumri), the capital of Baghlan province.

Regional Command West

The HQ is at Herat and is led by Italy. There are currently 4 PRTs underneath it.

PRT Herat

The PRT at Herat is led by Italy. In November 2006, government officials and the Herat PRT facilitated the donation of 12,000 fruit trees to local farmers. [http://www2.hq.nato.int/isaf/update/press_releases/newsrelease/2006/pr061127-307.htm]

PRT Chaghcharan

Led by Lithuania.On 6 November, 2006, the Lithuanian-led Team in Chaghcharan, Ghor Province, assisted with the setting up of the only kindergarten in the area [http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2006/11-november/e1106a.htm.] .

=PRT Farah=

Currently led by the US. The Commander is a US Naval Officer and its security forces are from the Arizona Army National Guard. There is a US Army Civil Affairs representative, a Department of State representative, a Department of Agriculture representative, a USAID representative, an embedded ISAF photographer, US Navy Reserve mechanics, and KBR (supply and services contractor). In addition to the US forces, there are Italian Special Forces and British, Italian or Spanish close air support available when called by the Italian J-TACs. PRT will be replaced by another U.S. Navy PRT with Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers as its security forces.

PRT Qala i Naw

The PRT at Qala i Naw, the capital of Badghis province, is led by Spain.

Regional Command South

On July 31, 2006, ISAF assumed command over the southern region of Afghanistan.The HQ is at Kandahar. On November 1, 2006, the Dutch took over command from Canada. There are 4 PRTs underneath it.

PRT Kandahar

Canada has had responsibility for the [http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/afghanistan/library/kprt-en.aspx Kandahar PRT] since August 2005. The team is led from their base, Camp Nathan Smith, in Kandahar City. As part of the Canadian "whole-of-government" approach, the Canadian PRT utilizes the expertise of diplomats, development experts, the police, and military.

PRT Tarin Kowt

The PRT at Tarin Kowt, Task Force Uruzgan, and their main base Kamp Holland, is led by the Netherlands with the help of troops from Australia. The task of the Dutch ISAF-contribution is to provide security along with the Afghan National Army and police in the area, to do reconstruction work, and to train the Afghan National Police.

PRT Qalat

The PRT at Qalat City, the capital of Zabul province, is led by the US. A U.S. Air Force commander leads other Air Force personnel from many different career fields to perform the mission of the PRT. Security is provided by an Army National Guard unit, currently from Pennsylvania. Romanians provide security on the Forward Operating Base (FOB), FOB Lagman, and run local support missions to other Romanian soldiers stationed nearby.

PRT Lashkar Gah

The PRT in Lashkar Gah is led by the UK and also serves as the location for the UK Brigade HQ. The main base in Helmand Province, for the purposes of logistics however, is Camp Bastion. Also present in Lashkar Gah are elements of the Danish Army and the Estonian Armed Forces. Forces from Denmark take a leading role in CIMIC (Civil and Military Co-operation) activities within Lashkar Gah.

Regional Command East/Combined Joint Task Force 76(US led)

On October, 5, 2006, ISAF also assumed command of the PRTs in the eastern region of the country.The HQ is at Bagram and led by the U.S.

= PRT Asadabad =

The PRT in Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province, is led by the US. It has a navy commander, while soldiers of the US army provide security. The PRT is based in a compound just outside the city. Its civilian members and civil affairs officers interact regularly with the provincial governor and other officials. During the last year or so, the Asadabad PRT has focused on large infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. Its engineers conduct regular on-site inspections and deal directly with local contractors.

PRT Bamyan

Led by the New Zealand's Task Group Crib.

PRT Wardak

This PRT was originally run by the US out of the Parwan PRT with civil affairs and force protection teams based at Bagram Airfield in Parwan. Turkey opened its PRT there in November 2006 [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2026] .

On May 30, graduating Afghan police trainees were presented certificates in a ceremony after learning critical skills to allow them to do their jobs more effectively. The Turkish battle group commander chief colonel Hasan Usyilmaz was presiding at the ceremony. According to NATO-ISAF sources, the training will be very useful for the Afghan policemen in dealing with stabilizing the area and provision of secure environment. The Turkish Camp Dogan hosted the course which consisted of road control and road blocking, vehicle and personnel searching, response to social incidents and introduction to military police equipment.

As of April 2007, Turkey has 1,200 soldiers in Afghanistan and is leading the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak, a province in central east Afghanistan. [http://www.nato.int/isaf/Update/Press_Releases/newsrelease/2007/pr070601-413.htm]

PRT Lowgar

The PRT Lowgar in Lowgar Province is led by the Czech Republic.

PRT Gardez

The PRT in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, is led by the US.

PRT Ghazni

The Ghazni PRT is led by a US Navy Commander.

PRT Jalalabad

The PRT in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangahar province, is led by the US.

PRT Khowst

The PRT in Khowst, the capital of Khowst province (Khost province), is led by the US.

PRT Nuristan

Led by the US, Kamdesh Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC), is an extension of the Kamdesh PRT and provides reconstruction and development assistance to the people of Nuristan. The PRT is also working with DynCorp International to train the Afghan National Police (ANP) through the US funded Afghanistan Police Program [cite web| url=http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Allies_20/Nuristan_PRT_brings_professional_training_to_ANP5055.shtml| publisher=BlackAnthem| title=Nuristan PRT brings professional training to ANP
first=Giovanni| last=Caligiuri| accessdate=2007-04-13] .

PRT Mehtarlam

The team in Mehtarlam, the capital of Laghman province, is led by the US. It consists of Army, Air Force, and several civilians. Until April 2006, the compound was predominately Marine Corps and smaller numbers of Army. Afterwards, the Air Force Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) had a major presence there performing various technical specialities. The Army's presence there is predominately Civil Affairs and infantry.

PRT Parwan and Kapisa

The team, based out of Bagram Airfield, covers the provinces of Kapisa and Parwan, and is led by the US. At one time, the Parwan PRT was also responsible for covering Wardak and Kabul provinces.

PRT Sharana

The PRT in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, is led by the US.

PRT Panjshir

The US-led PRT, established in 2005 to cover the Panjshir Province (previously under the US/South Korea Parwan PRT), consists of US Army Civil Affairs personnel, US Air Force Support personnel, and civilian experts. Panjshir is the only civlian-led PRT in Afghanistan, currently headed by a US State Department Representative. The model of civilian led-PRTs is being pushed much more strongly in Iraq, based on lessons learned in Afghanistan.

See also

*International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
*Military of Afghanistan
*Afghanistan War order of battle
*Task Force Uruzgan
*Counter-insurgency
*Logical line of operation

References

External links

* [http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/epub/pdf/isaf_placemat.pdf Details of ISAF and PRT deployments in Afghanistan - September 2007]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oef-prt.htm Provincial Reconstruction Teams - Global Security]
* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/60085.htm Provincial Reconstruction Teams - US State Department]
* [http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1077047464976 Provincial Reconstruction Teams - UK Foreign Office]
* [http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/afghanistan/library/kprt-en.aspx Provincial Reconstruction Team - Canada] in Kandahar
* [http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/kprt-eprk/prt_e.asp Provincial Reconstruction Team - Canadian Forces] in Kandahar
* [http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/military/Military%20PRTs%20in%20Afghanistan_Sep04%20by%20SCUK.pdf Provincial Reconstruction Teams and Humanitarian–Military Relations in Afghanistan - Save the Children]
* [http://prt.minds-i.com/gallery/album01?page=1 Provincial Reconstruction Teams - Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan (Photo Albums)]
* [http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr152.html The U.S. Experience with Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan: Lessons Identified] U.S. Institute of Peace report, October 2005
* [http://www.usip.org/library/oh/index.html Oral Histories Project on Stability Operations] Interviews with Americans who served in Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan, U.S. Institute of Peace
* [http://www.canada-afghanistan.gc.ca/prov_reconstruction-en.asp Canada's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar Province]
* [http://milnewstbay.pbwiki.com/CANinKandahar/ News about Canadian Forces in Kandahar, via MILNEWS.ca]
* [http://www.prtkhost.com Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost]
*cite news
url=http://www.af.mil/news/airman/1006/reconstruction.shtml
title=On the Road to Reconstruction: Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team helps build bridges, roads and schools
date=Fall 2006
publisher=Airman
author=Master Sergeant Orville F. Desjarlais Jr., Captain Mark Gibson, Captain Joe Campbell, Sergeant Sara Wood
accessdate=2007-07-12