UK deploys final JFSp(A) command team to Afghanistan
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The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has deployed the last Joint Force Support (Afghanistan) (JFSp(A)) command team to Helmand province in Afghanistan.
The incoming team, which will support Operation Herrick XX, will be primarily responsible for managing the return of the majority of UK soldiers and equipment still deployed in the country.
Since the process started in October 2012, approximately 64% of the material and 63% of the vehicles and major equipment have already been transferred.
JFSp(A) outgoing commander brigadier Martin Moore said all personnel have contributed to the redeployment effort.
"There are a lot of people that we are responsible for supporting, and it has been the mission of JFSp(A) to ensure that these people are adequately resourced, from food to gymnasium equipment, ammunition to internet booths. All are vital to sustain a military force on operations," Moore said.
"We will continue to make sure that the force remains supported, as well as being able to conduct their jobs safely and to the usual high standard of UK Armed Forces."
JFSp(A) new commander brigadier Darrell Amison said: "We will continue to make sure that the force remains supported, as well as being able to conduct their jobs safely and to the usual high standard of UK Armed Forces.
"Whilst we will transition to more expeditionary conditions towards the end of the campaign, I am absolutely committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of our personnel throughout."
Approximately 5,000 standard 20ft shipping containers worth of material, including 400t of ammunition, along with 3,400 vehicles and major equipment, including 50 aircraft, will have been redeployed by the time the UK finishes operations in Afghanistan by the end of this year.
Even though the new team represents the final JFSp(A) unit to deploy to Afghanistan under Operation Herrick, the UK intends to continue its support for the Afghan Government.
The UK serves as the lead country in developing the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in Kabul, which aims to select and train Afghanistan’s officers and leaders of the future.
Image: The flag of the incoming JFSp(A) command team is raised at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. Photo: Corporal Daniel Wiepen, Crown copyright.
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