Train Advise Assist Command – East


Train Advise Assist Command – East was a multinational military formation, part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission within Afghanistan. Until 2014 it was designated Regional Command East, part of the International Security Assistance Force. The United States Army provided the force headquarters. The command headquarters was located in Laghman Province.
TAAC-East included the provinces of Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Panjshayr and Parwan. It shared a portion of the border with Pakistan.

History as Regional Command – East

Prior to 2014, the formation was known as Regional Command – East. In June 2003, the 25th Infantry Division Division Artillery deployed to Afghanistan to fulfill a unique mission. Division Artillery headquarters would serve as the headquarters of Regional Command East, which was to cover 16 provinces in the east of the country. It was led by the division artillery commander, and comprised the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, three forming Afghan kandaks, and, eventually, a total of eight Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The formal transfer of authority between 10th Mountain and 25th Infantry took place on 15 April 2004.
Responsibility for Regional Command East originally fell to the 6th Marines. The area of operations included Bamyan, Parwan, Kapisa, Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman, Kabul, Wardak, Logar, Nangarhar, and Ghazni Provinces. The 25th Infantry Division Artillery headquarters, commanded by Col. Gary H. Cheek, took over RC East in June 2004.

2013–2014

The Command was previously responsible for Provincial Reconstruction Team operations and security in and around Asadabad, and Bamyan Province, handled by the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team. The Polish Provincial Reconstruction Team was responsible for operations and security in and around Ghazni Province.
RC East was in August 2013 the host of the Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team headed by South Korea).

Operation Enduring Freedom V – Combined Joint Task Force 76, April 2004 to March 2005

From April 2004 to March 2005, Combined Joint Task Force 76 continued combat and stabilization operations in Afghanistan. CJTF-76 continued Operation Mountain Storm, started in OEF IV. The 25th Infantry Division initiated Operation Lightning Resolve, executed between July and October 2004 to focus upon facilitating and precluding insurgent interference with, the first 2004 Afghan presidential election on 9 October 2004. The National Command Authority alerted 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment for an emergency deployment in support of the elections. Operation Lightning Freedom was performed during the winter months to inhibit insurgent operations in remote mountainous areas in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan.

Operation Enduring Freedom VI -Combined Joint Task Force 76, March 2005 to February 2006

Command and Control

Southern European Task Force
From March 2005 to February 2006, CJTF-76 supported the continued growth and development of a stable Afghanistan Nation and Government and continued the organization, equipping, arming and training of the Afghan National Army.
Major Combat Operations
As part of CJTF-76, SETAF Soldiers helped to reconstruct and rebuild Afghanistan within their area of operations. SETAF ensured a safe and secure election for the people of Afghanistan as they voted in the 2005 Afghan parliamentary election.
Major units involved:
Command and Control

10th Mountain Division
From February 2006 to February 2007, CJTF-76 continued security and stabilization operations in Afghanistan to support development of representative Afghanistan government.
Major Combat Operations
In April 2006, CJTF-76 launched Operation Mountain Lion, a search and secure operation performed by the Afghan National Army and 10th Mountain Division in Marawara District of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. During Operation Mountain Lamb, the 10th Mountain Division Civil Affairs operation, assisted humanitarian and educational efforts throughout Afghanistan. Operation Mountain Thrust was a major operation directed against Taliban insurgents in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan from May to August 2006. In September 2006, Afghan and Coalition forces began the maneuver phase of Operation Mountain Fury focusing on defeating Taliban resistance in Ghazni, Khost, Logar, Paktika, and Paktia provinces. Operation Mountain Fury is just one part of a series of coordinated operations placing continuous pressure on Taliban extremists across multiple regions of Afghanistan in order to provide security to the population, extend the government to the people, and to increase reconstruction. In November 2006, CJTF-76 launch Operation Mountain Eagle to defeat enemy forces and link governors of Afghanistan to district level.
Paramount to the success of CJTF-76 during OEF VII was the execution of an aggressive non-lethal effects campaign designed to influence and educate the world, harass the enemy, and win the hearts and minds of Afghanistan's center of gravity – its populace. CJTF-76 leaders spent tireless hours engaging Afghan civic leaders at all levels to ensure that positive messages resonated throughout the Afghan public, as well as in the media. Campaign emphasis included the vital importance of extending government capacity, promoting reconstruction, creating employment opportunities and working to improve Afghan National Security Forces. Noteworthy accomplishments included the construction and improvement of several Provincial Coordination Centers, Provincial Development Councils and District Centers. More than 500 kilometers of roads, schools, clinics and other long lasting projects were built at a cost of just over $90 million using Commander's Emergency Response Program funds.
Major Units Involved:
Command and Control

82nd Airborne Division
From February 2007 to February 2008, CJJTF-82, in conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, join, interagency, and multinational partners, conducted full spectrum operations to disrupt insurgent forces in the combined joint operations area, develop Afghanistan national security capability and supports the growth of governance and development in order to build a stable Afghanistan.
Major Combat Operations
In February 2007, units from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division conducted Operation Oqab Hamkary in conjunction operations with Afghan forces to expand the influence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Ghazni and Paktika Provinces. CJTF-82 operations included lethal and non-lethal missions. Operations Furious Pursuit, Finite Pursuit, and Kulang Hellion were conducted by 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment focused coalition forces in the Helmand Province. Operation Maiwand brought coalitions forces with the 203rd Corps to perform Counter-insurgency operations in Ghazni province. Operation Deh Yak focused efforts in Ghazni towards the refurbishment of local schools, medical supply support and several other civic actions. During Operation Kyber, Task Force Fury fell under the operational control of the 203rd ANA Corps in a large scale sweep of Paktya Province. This shaped operations such as Operation Big Axe conducted by Task Force Spartan and Operation Rock Avalanche conducted by Task Force Rock (503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team kept the enemy off balance and set the stage for follow on operations.
CJTF-82 conducted over 325 conventional operations. The statistics do not state the countless Key Leader Engagements, Shura's and other interactions with the Afghan population that soldiers of CJTF-82 performed. Their ability to successfully carry the fight to the enemy while simultaneously building trust with the local population and overseeing non-conventional missions that has allowed the government of Afghanistan and its security forces the opportunity to develop its influence and capabilities.
Major Units Involved:
  • Afghan National Army
  • 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
  • 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
  • 82nd Aviation Brigade
  • Polish Battle Group
  • US and Coalition Special Forces from Australia, Poland, Canada, Romania, and the United Kingdom
  • Coalition Forces from Korea, New Zealand, Egypt, Turkey, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Germany
  • United States Air Force
  • United States Navy

    Operation Enduring Freedom IX – Combined Joint Task Force 101, April 2008 to June 2009

Command and Control

101st Airborne Division
From April 2008 to June 2009, in direct support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the 101st Airborne Division, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, International Security Assistance Force, Interagency Partners, and CJTF-101/Regional Command East Forces conducted full-spectrum Counter-Insurgency operations to develop Afghan National capabilities. In joint cooperation, these Coalition Forces achieved unprecedented success as they worked together to secure the citizenry, exercise capable governance, and develop a sustainable economy, while defeating terrorists and insurgents, in order to extend authority and influence as the legitimate government of the Afghan people.
Major Combat Operations
Joint, Coalition, and Alliance Forces made significant advances on numerous fronts to include historic trilateral cooperation between US, Pakistan, and Afghan Forces that enabled significant operations focused upon border development. COIN capabilities in RC-E were enhanced through an increase in Forces with the Polish Battle Group assumption of battle control of Task Force White Eagle and the introduction of the US 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division as Task Force Spartan. A singularly significant operation with long-term strategic implications saw Joint, Coalition, and Alliance Forces join to provide effective, comprehensive security across Afghanistan, ensuring successful voter registration to set conditions for the 2009 Afghan presidential election. In the largest transformational initiative in the history of OEF, CJTF-101 planned, coordinated, and initiated support preparations for the introduction of over 21,000 US Troops into Regional Command South. Simultaneously, the CJTF-101 staff planned, coordinated, and executed the transfer of U.S. National Command, National Support, and Title X responsibilities to the newly formed United States Forces – Afghanistan Headquarters in Kabul. CJTF-101 conducted over 490 conventional operations during OEF XI.
Major Units Involved:
  • Afghan National Army
  • Afghan National Police
  • Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
  • Task Force White Eagle
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing
  • 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
  • 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
  • 101st Combat Aviation Brigade
  • 159th Combat Aviation Brigade
  • 10th Combat Aviation Brigade
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
  • 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
  • 420th Engineer Brigade
  • 168th Engineer Brigade
  • 101st Sustainment Brigade
  • 45th Sustainment Brigade
  • 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
  • 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
  • 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
  • 3rd Battalion 8th Marines
  • 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
  • United States Navy
  • United States Marine Corps
  • United States Air Force
  • Units from France, Egypt, Jordan, Singapore, Korea, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Norway, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.