ANKARA - Turkish forces in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan took over command of the part of the NATO-led force responsible for the security of the Afghan capital, Kabul, military officials said Nov. 2.
"The command of the Kabul mission was transferred from France to us yesterday," one Turkish military official said. A Turkish brigadier general, Levent Colak, will command the ISAF's Kabul mission in the next six months.
Turkey has raised the size of its Afghanistan contingent from 900 to 1,700 for this job. Several NATO members and allied nations also have troops in ISAF's Kabul mission.
Turkish officials say that the Turkish troops in Kabul serve not only a military mission, but also provide health, cultural and other nonmilitary services to the denizens of the Afghan capital.
The transfer of the Kabul force's command takes place at a time of increased bombing attacks by Taliban militants in and around Kabul.
The Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is ready to test a few components that soldiers may have in their hands by 2010.
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