• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

03 June 2004

NATO-led Force Now in Charge of Military Part of Kabul Airport

ISAF assumed control June 1; Turkish helicopters add to capabilities

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan assumed control of the military part of Kabul International Airport June 1, NATO said in a press notice.

ISAF will assist the Afghan Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, which is responsible for civilian operations, with logistics and overall operations. Iceland is the lead nation providing staff and resources.

On May 30, three Turkish UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters arrived to enhance ISAF's capabilities. More than 160 Turkish soldiers have been serving with ISAF, and the helicopter detachment included an additional 56 Turkish personnel, NATO reported.

Following is the press notice:

(begin text)

NATO Update
http://www.nato.int

1 June 2004

NATO ASSUMES CONTROL OF KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A ceremony held at Kabul International Airport on 1 June marked the formal transfer of authority over the airport to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

This completes the handover of the military part of the airport from the German Air Force to the NATO-led ISAF. Iceland is the lead nation providing staff and resources for the operation of the airport. The airport is an essential supply line for delivering goods, equipment and troops for ISAF, as well as supplies for other international organisations active in Afghanistan.

Assistance and support

ISAF will also assist the Afghan Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, responsible for the civilian part of the airport, with the overall operation of the airport and logistics. On behalf of the Commander ISAF, the Deputy Commander ISAF, Major General Wolfgang Korte, transferred the responsibility for the operation of Kabul International Airport from Colonel M. Kuhn of Germany to Colonel Halli Sigurdson of Iceland.

A press conference was held at the conclusion of the ceremony, attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Mr. Halldor Asgrimsson, by the Deputy Minister of Defence of Germany, Mr. Klaus-Guenther Biederbick and Brigadier General Gero Schachthoefer, the Deputy Commander Air of ISAF. Earlier, on 30 May, ISAF's capabilities were reinforced by three Turkish UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, which were flown in on Antonov heavy lift transport aircraft to the airport.

Turkey already has over 160 soldiers currently serving with ISAF and the helicopter detachment included an additional 56 Turkish personnel including 12 pilots and 16 technicians. The Blackhawks will be used primarily as troop carriers and logistics support aircraft, but they can also be configured to carry out medical evacuation, command and control, search and rescue, armed escort and executive transport missions.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)