The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was formally established through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386 in December 2001, with a multifaceted mission of training Afghan National Security Forces and providing assistance in the rebuilding of the nation’s government and its infrastructure, all with an ultimate goal of ensuring the country never again became a haven for terrorist organizations.
Achieving those goals, however, meant combat operations against the Taliban and other insurgent groups; these started with the reclamation of Kabul before expanding to cover the entire country by the end of 2006. This success has blunted in 2007 and 2008 as a new wave of insurgency operations were launched, leading to the now-famous “surge” of some 40,000 American troops into the country.
At its height, the ISAF comprised more than 130,000 troops personnel, with troops from 51 NATO and non-NATO nations. But the brunt of combat operations was borne by U.S. forces—more than half of the ISAF troops were American. By the time the operation officially ended on 8 December 2014, it had been seen a total of 16 different commanders, the last seven being from the United States military.
The NATIO ISAF Joint Command Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB) is worn on the right side of Service, Dress, and Mess/Evening Mess uniforms. Refer to Department of the Army Pamphlet 670-1 for guidance on wear.