Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan

The Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A) is a multinational military formation. Its primary role is the training and development of Afghan security forces like the Afghan National Army. Its headquarters is at Camp Eggers, Kabul. Under CSTC-A’s operational control is Task Force Phoenix, which is responsible for training the Afghan National Army.

Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell is the current commanding general. Command Sergeant Major Ralph R. Beam is the senior non-commissioned officer. The commanding general of CSTC-A is double-hatted as the commander of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

The senior leadership staff is dominated by U.S. Army officers, but Canadian, Polish, and British officers also serve. The Canadians are part of the unit under Operation Archer. Major General Robert W. Cone handed over command to Formica on January 15, 2009. Formica is the sixth commanding general of CSTC-A, which was established in May 2002 by renaming the U.S. Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan.

In partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, NATO, and some other non-NATO partners such as Australia and New Zealand, CSTC-A plans, programs and...
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