Brigadier Kees van den Heuvel and Civilian Representative Jennes de Mol have taken over the leadership of Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) from Marc van Uhm and Michel Rentenaar. As commander of TFU VIII and director of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Van den Heuvel and De Mol will lead the military and civilian personnel posted to the Afghan province for the next six months.

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According to Rentenaar, the PRT has become a ‘strong brand’ in Uruzgan. Its military and diplomatic personnel are spearheading efforts to develop the province. ‘Many people are benefiting from improvements to their living environment and from better education and water management. The district building in Chora, which served for a long time as a base of operations for military personnel, has been transferred to the local authorities. This mission derives its strength from combining a military ‘can-do’ mentality with specific civilian know how.’

Van Uhm said that the last few months had also seen important achievements in terms of security:

• ‘We supported the provincial authorities during the elections of 20 August. Uruzgan was the only province where all the polling stations were open.’
• The TFU maintained control in the areas where the PRT was operating – Deh Rahwood, Tarin Kowt and Chora. In those areas, there has been a transition from civil-military cooperation to structural development by international bodies and aid organisations.
• ‘Thirdly, we have brought these areas closer together by carrying out operations in areas that used to be difficult – or even impossible – to access.’

But these achievements have come at a price. Besides Afghan and American police officers and military staff, two Dutch servicemen have been killed in the last six months: Corporal Kevin van de Rijdt on 6 September and, a day later, Sergeant-Major Mark Leijsen. Although those losses have left an indelible mark on the Task Force, the outgoing unit can look back on a successful mission, which can now be carried forward in the months ahead under the new leadership.