Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan

After the major combat operations in Afghanistan have been conducted by Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the UN mandated mission International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan (ISAF) took over KABUL area in 2001. With ISAF IV (meaning fourth rotation of HQ ISAF) NATO took over the responsibility for the operation in 2003. Germany (GE) took over the first ISAF PRT in KUNDUZ from OEF forces. The Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) model was in its infancy. The only NATO experience in this area can be derived from Liaison Monitor Teams/Field Liaison Teams in Kosovo and Macedonia. PRTs mission is to win the "hearts and minds" of the local population in order to expand the authority of the central government beyond Kabul, assist the Afghan authority in establishing/ maintaining a secure environment and support reconstruction.