Statement by the NATO Secretary General
ISAF augmentation in support of Afghanistan's Presidential elections is complete
NATO Press Release (2004)129
1 October 2004
I am very pleased to announce that the fifth ISAF PRT, located in Pul-I-Khumri in the province of Baghlan, reached its initial operating capability today. This brings to an end the first phase of ISAF expansion as well as ISAF's augmentation in support of Afghanistan's presidential elections.
The elections are being supported by the ISAF PRTs in Baghlan, Feyzabad, Konduz, Mazar e-Sharif and Meymana and each PRT has been further reinforced for the election period.
In addition, ISAF has been temporarily augmented by one US quick reaction company for Kabul, one Quick Reaction Force battalion from Spain and one in-theatre Operational Reserve Force battalion from Italy. Aviation assets have also been enhanced, with six F-16s being provided by the Netherlands and with the United Kingdom providing ISAF with two Harrier sorties per day. Altogether, ISAF has an in-theatre strength of some 9,000 troops now that election period augmentation is complete.
A further US battalion from NATO's Strategic Reserve Force is on standby at its base in Germany should it be required.
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