Task Force Uruzgan
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The Dutch ISAF-operation Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) is part of NATO's ISAF force in Afghanistan. The Dutch lead one of the four Provincial Reconstruction Teams in the southern region of the country. 1,200 - 1,400 Dutch military, mandated by the Dutch Parliament in February 2006, will attempt to maintain order in Uruzgan province through July 2008. They will also attempt to develop political and economic infrastructure and to train the Afghan police.
The unit is located at one Main Operating Base (MOB) and a few smaller Forward Operating Bases (FOB): the MOB is Kamp Holland in Tarin Kowt, the capital of Uruzgan province. There are a few smaller FOBs Camp Hadrian sixty kilometres west of Tarin Kowt near a town called Deh Rahwod, FOB Coyote north of Deh Rawod near a place called Chutu and FOB Phoenix on the west bank of the Helmand river near the town of Tor Nasser.
The TFU is under command of colonel Hans van Griensven and consists of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), a battlegroup and an air detachment. The battlegroup consists of infantry with armored vehicles and artillery Howitzers, and is based around 13 Infanteriebataljon. Elements of 42 en 43 Brigadeverkenningseskadron are also based as part of the battlegroup. If needed, they can rely on support of F-16's and AH-64D Apache helicopters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
The PRT is working together with 480 Australian troops and soldiers of the Afghan National Army and Afghan police officers.
During June 2007 a taliban offensive and a Dutch counterattack proved to be the heaviest fighting in Uruzgan province since ISAF extended its Area of Responsibility to the south of Afghanistan. A large part of Task Force Uruzgan's battlegroup took part in the Battle of Chora.
In total 16 Dutch soldiers have been killed so far.
