Resolute Support Mission | |
---|---|
Active | 1 January 2015–September 2021[1] |
Country | Contributing states: see below |
Allegiance | NATO[2] |
Size | Peak Strength: 17,178 (October 2019)[3] |
Part of | Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum [citation needed]
American contingent responsible to: United States Central Command MacDill AFB, Florida, U.S. [citation needed] |
Headquarters | Kabul, Afghanistan[4] |
Motto(s) | تعلیمات، کمک، مشورت (training, assistance, advice)[5] |
Engagements | War in Afghanistan[6] |
Commanders | |
Last Commander | Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. |
Notable commanders | Austin S. Miller John W. Nicholson Jr. John F. Campbell |
Insignia | |
Flag |
Resolute Support Mission (RSM) or Operation Resolute Support was a NATO-led multinational mission in Afghanistan.[7][8] It began on 1 January 2015 as the successor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was completed on 28 December 2014.[9][10] Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2189 of 2014,[11] RSM was a noncombat mission aimed at advising and training Afghan security forces to provide long-term security to the country, under the aegis of the Security and Defence Cooperation Agreement BSA between the United States and Afghanistan,[11][12] which was originally supposed to run from 1 January 2015 and "shall remain in force until the end of 2024 and beyond" unless terminated with two years' advance notice.[13][14]
The number of troops and contributing nations would fluctuate throughout RSM's period of activity.[15] In October 2019, RSM had its largest size of troops, which was 17,178.[16][17] Moreover, throughout 2015, the RSM had its peak of contributing nations, which was 42.[17] The US accounted for the largest contingent, while Italy, Germany, and Turkey served leading roles.[18] Intended to play a temporary and transitionary role, the mission gradually withdrew its forces, which numbered around 10,000 at the start of 2021. On 14 April 2021 via a North Atlantic Council Ministerial Statement, NATO announced a drawdown of RSM troops by 1 May,[19] and the mission was terminated early September 2021.[20] The last remaining RSM troops to leave was a U.S. military unit commanded by Major General Christopher T. Donahue, which were withdrawn on August 30, 2021.[21][22]