The UK operations in Afghanistan are being conducted under the name Operation HERRICK.

UK Forces here are made up of personnel from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

The majority of this force is deployed to Helmand province in the south. In addition, the UK has troops deployed in Kandahar and Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

UK Forces are working in a joint military-civilian plan to push back the Taliban. When we go into the villages and districts in Helmand we are supported by Afghan Army and Afghan Police who hold the ground we have cleared, to prevent the Taliban returning.

Our civilian stabilisation experts work with local officials and tribal elders to follow up security with plans for new roads, clean water and basic justice.

Task Force Helmand

The Task Force in Helmand is commanded by 16 Air Assault Brigade based in Colchester, Essex, who took over on 10 October 2010 from 4th Mechanized Brigade, based in Catterick.

The following major units are deployed with 16 Air Assault Brigade as part of the current Task Force Helmand:

• D Squadron, The Household Cavalry Regiment
• 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
• 21 Air Assault Battery Royal Artillery
• 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault)
• 216 (Parachute) Headquarters and Signal Squadron
• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
• 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment
• 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment
• 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment
• 3 Regiment Army Air Corps
• 4 Regiment Army Air Corps
• 9 Regiment Army Air Corps
• 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
• 16 Medical Regiment
• 7 (Air Assault) Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police

There are also many regiments and elements of regiments deploying as part of the overall Task Force under the command of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

For a full list of deploying units follow the Deployed British Forces link in the right-hand panels.