Mission
Area of Responsibility
Contributing Nations
Major Units Assigned
Provincial Reconstruction Teams
Contact Information
Website
RC-SW Roundup
Mission
Regional Command Southwest conducts counterinsurgency operations in partnership with the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to protect the Afghan people, develop Afghan National Security Force capabilities, and support improved governance and economic development.
Area of Responsibility
RC-Southwest includes the provinces of Helmand and Nimroz.
Contributing Nations
NATO Nations: Denmark, Estonia, United Kingdom, United States
Non-NATO Nations: Georgia, UAE, Jordan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Tonga
Major Units Assigned
Taskforce Leatherneck In partnership with Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 1st Marine Division Forward conducts counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and to enable Afghan National Security Forces assumption of security responsibilities within our area of operations to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
Taskforce Leatherneck is comprised of two regimental combat teams and four separate battalions, approximately 10,700 personnel, and operates in Helmand province, Afghanistan. 1st Marine Division assumed command of Task Force Leatherneck in February 2012.
• 1st Marine Division (Forward)
- Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division
- 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment
- 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion
- 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
- 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
• Regimental Combat Team 5
- 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment
- 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment
• Regimental Combat Team 6
- 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment
- 31st Georgian Battalion
Task Force Helmand
Task Force Helmand is the name given to United Kingdom-led forces in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. It has responsibility for Nahr-e Saraj, Nad-e Ali and Lashkar Gah districts. Additionally, the task force has an advisory role to both the Afghan National Army (3/215 Brigade) and the Afghan National Police within Helmand, for which it also provides training. Task Force Helmand was established in April 2006 and contains approximately 5,500 personnel. Operation HERRICK 14 which is led by Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, supported by elements of 7th Armoured Brigade, took over from 16 Air Assault Brigade in April 2011. The Brigade is currently commanded by Brigadier Ed Davis, OBE. Current units deployed under Task Force Helmand as part of Regional Command Southwest are:
• 3 Commando Brigade Headquarters, Royal Marines
• 42 Commando Royal Marines including members of the Maritime Reserve
• 45 Commando Royal Marines including members of the Maritime Reserve
• Commando Logistic Regiment, Royal Marines
• Elements of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)
• Elements of 9th/12th Lancers (Prince of Wales's)
• 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
• 24 Commando Engineer Regiment
• 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Highlanders
• 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment
• 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• 1st Battalion The Rifles
• Elements of 1 & 3 Regiments, Army Air Corps
• Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
• 2 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Number 6 Royal Air Force, Force Protection Wing Headquarters
• 58 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment
• 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
• 31 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Provincial Reconstruction Teams
The Helmand PRT is a UK-led, multinational effort of the UK, US, Danish and Estonian governments, working with ISAF's RC-SW, helping the Afghan government deliver governance and improved development across Helmand province.
Contact Information
Regional Command Southwest:
Official Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Flickr
PAO Director
Lt. Col. Stewart Upton (USMC)
318.357.7294 (DSN)
stewart.upton@afg.usmc.mil
Deputy Director
Lt. Col. Martin Morris (British Army)
318.357.7293 (DSN)
martin.morris.gbr@afg.usmc.mil
Media Embed Officers
1st Lt. Joanna Capetto
2nd Lt. Scott Murdock
318-357-7292 (DSN)
joanna.capetto@afg.usmc.mil
scott.murdock@afg.usmc.mil
Taskforce Leatherneck:
1st Marine Division (FWD)
Official Website | DVIDS Page
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Lisa Lawrence
318.357.6515 (DSN)
lisa.lawrence@afg.usmc.mil
Public Affairs Chief
Master Sgt. Grady Fontana
318.357.6515 (DSN)
grady.fontana@afg.usmc.mil
Taskforce Helmand:
Official Website | Twitter | Facebook | Flickr | YouTube
TFH Spokesman
Lt. Col. Tim Purbick
Tfh-spokesman@defencemediaops.co.uk
SO2 Media Plans
Capt. Merry Grant
Tfh-mediaplans@defencemediaops.co.uk
SO2 Media Operations
Maj. Rolf Kurth
Civ: 799 529 916
tfh-mediaops@defencemediaops.co.uk
Civilian Media Advisor
Ms. Beth Cowley
tfh-mediaadvisor@defencemediaops.co.uk
TFH SNCO Media Ops
Sgt. Ben Perkins
tfh-mediaadmin@defencemediaops.co.uk
TFH Photographer
PO Hamish Burke
Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team:
Official Website | Facebook
Head of Strategic Communications
Alan Stewart
alan.stewart@fco.gov.uk
Head of Media
Lizzie Lovett
lizzie.lovett@fco.gov.uk
Media Plans
Sqn. Ldr. David Hopkins
Nathan Sobey
Head of Population Engagement
Abdy Yeganeh
abdy.yeganeh@fco.gov.uk
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD):
Facebook
Public Affairs Officer
2nd Lt. Jose Negrete
318-357-5858 (DSN)
Public Affairs Chief
Staff Sgt. Tiffany Carter
318-357-5859 (DSN)
1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD):
Facebook
Public Affairs Officer
2nd Lt. Tyler Morrison
318-357-3956 (DSN)
tyler.morrison@afg.usmc.mil
Public Affairs Chief
Sgt. John Jackson
318-357-3956 (DSN)
john.e.jackson@afg.usmc.mil
*Information current as of April 19, 2012
