Task Force Phoenix



Task Force Phoenix, or more properly known as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix (CJTF Phoenix), is an international military formation. It was organized by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2003-2004 to train and mentor the newly created Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to establish and maintain law and order throughout Afghanistan.

Immediately following the collapse of the Taliban regime, Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division began the initial development of the Afghan National Army (ANA) as Task Force Phoenix.

One of the early mission statements for the formation appears to have been: "Coalition Joint Task Force PHOENIX executes a broad-based training, mentoring, and assistance program in order to enable the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) to field a mission-ready Central Corps NLT [No Later Than] June 2004."

Every subsequent rotation has been composed primarily of National Guard Soldiers. Phoenix II built up the first Afghan Corps - the Central Corps - in Kabul, Afghanistan. Phoenix II was provided by the 45th Infantry Brigade-Oklahoma Army National Guard. Task Force Phoenix II's base support battalion served as the logistics command for the Afghan National Army, providing all logistics support for an army conducting country-wide combat operations. In August 2004, the brigade was replaced in this mission by the 76th Infantry Brigade-Indiana Army National Guard, and subsequently returned home to the United States. Phoenix III took on the daunting task of splitting that Corps into five separate Corps and locating them throughout the country at five strategic centers. Phoenix IV (53rd Infantry Brigade-Florida Army National Guard) worked to build up those Corps to full strength. TF Phoenix IV's Training Assistance Group (209th Regiment-Nebraska Army National Guard and 211th Regiment-Florida Army National Guard) stationed at Camp Alamo (inside the Kabul Military Training Center) implemented major improvements to both Basic and Advanced Individual Training programs.

Task Force Phoenix V ( 41st Infantry Brigade-Oregon Army National Guard)was the fifth ANA training rotation. The mission continued to expand with TF Phoenix V taking on additional responsibilities associated with training and supporting the Afghan National Police (ANP), as well as continuing to train and mentor the growing ANA. TF Phoenix V is composed primarily of soldiers from the U.S. Army National Guard, with members representing 49 of the 50 states. In addition, they have attached elements from the regular Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

In addition to the ANA and ANP, the ANSF consists of the Afghan National Army Air Corps, the Afghan National Border Patrol (ANBP), and the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP). Task Force Phonenix's main headquarters is at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, with five regional commands which match the five ANA corps regions (Regional Corps Advisory Command (RCAC)/PAC-S, RCAC/PAC-W, RCAC/PAC-E, RCAC/PAC-C, and RCAC/PAC-N).

The 27th Brigade Combat Team of the New York Army National Guard took command of Task Force Phoenix on 19 April 2008 from the 218th BCT, South Carolina Army National Guard. They were relieved on 19 December 2008 by the 33rd Brigade Combat Team Illinois Army National Guard.