National Command Element – Afghanistan

National Command Element – Afghanistan

The National Command Element in Kabul is made up of command, intelligence, planning, and logistics components, and is responsible for liaison with US forces and ISAF forces.

Government sources

Changing of Command, Department of Defence, 18 January 2010

The command of ADF operations in the Middle East has been passed to Major General John Cantwell .. to serve the men and women of Joint Task Force 633. Major General John Cantwell was formerly the Deputy Chief of Army and the Director of Strategic Operations in Iraq.

Global Operations: Operation Slipper, Department of Defence [accessed 17 January 2010]

Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 (HQ JTF 633) – Provides the in-theatre command and control of all ADF elements deployed throughout the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) on operations SLIPPER and KRUGER. It is commanded by the Commander of Joint Task Force 633 (CJTF 633) Major General John Cantwell, AO.

Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 – Afghanistan (HQ JTF 633-A) – Based in the Afghanistan capital Kabul, HQ JTF 633-A provides specific command and control of all ADF elements deployed within the territorial borders of Afghanistan on behalf of the Commander Joint Task Force 633 (CJTF 633), as well as coordinating JTF 633’s interface with the ISAF Headquarters.

Global Operations: Operation Slipper, Department of Defence [accessed 18 June 2009]

Major General M. A. Kelly, AO commands all ADF units deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations including all elements assigned to Operation CATALYST and Operation SLIPPER.
Air Commodore Timothy Francis Owen is the Deputy National Commander.
Brigadier John Caligari is the Deputy Commander of Australian forces in Afghanistan.

About Operation Slipper, Department of Defence, Australia, 10 May 2007

“An ADF National Command Element (NCE) consisting of about 30 personnel is located in Kabul and includes command, security and support staff. The ADF national command element is led by Colonel John Frewen.

“Liaison Officers – Approximately 20 officers are serving with the ISAF Headquarters and units.”

See also

 Project coordinator: Richard Tanter
Additional research: Arabella imhoff
Updated: 8 March 2010