UK - A Lasting Legacy in Afghanistan

On October 27, 2014 United Kingdom troops left Helmand province, Afghanistan marking the historic end of UK combat operations in the province for 13 years. UK forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001 and the end of 2014 will see the completion of the International Security Force Assistance (ISAF) mission. However, the ISAF mission will be replaced by the NATO Resolute Support mission and the United Kingdom will play a role in that mission as well. The UK will continue to provide officers and NCOs for the Resolute Support headquarters and staff in Kabul. In addition, the UK will continue its support of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) also located near Kabul. The ANAOA is informally known as "Sandhurst in the Sand". The graduates of the ANAOA go through a 42-week long leadership course. Read more in "A lasting legacy in Afghanistan", UK Ministry of Defence, 1 November 2014.