Resolute Support Mission

Resolute Support Mission
Official logo of RSM
Active1 January 2015–September 2021[1]
CountryContributing states: see below
Allegiance NATO[2]
SizePeak Strength: 17,178 (October 2019)[3]
Part ofAllied Joint Force Command Brunssum [citation needed] American contingent responsible to:
United States Central Command
MacDill AFB, Florida, U.S. [citation needed]
HeadquartersKabul, Afghanistan[4]
Motto(s)تعلیمات، کمک، مشورت (training, assistance, advice)[5]
EngagementsWar in Afghanistan[6]
Commanders
Last CommanderKenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
Notable
commanders		Austin S. Miller
John W. Nicholson Jr.
John F. Campbell
Insignia
Flag
Change of Mission Ceremony from ISAF to Resolute Support, 28 December 2014, Kabul
Badge used to identify personnel part of Resolute Support Mission

Resolute Support Mission (RSM) or Operation Resolute Support was a NATO-led multinational mission in Afghanistan.[7][8] It began on 1 January 2015 as the successor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was completed on 28 December 2014.[9][10] Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2189 of 2014,[11] RSM was a noncombat mission aimed at advising and training Afghan security forces to provide long-term security to the country, under the aegis of the Security and Defence Cooperation Agreement BSA between the United States and Afghanistan,[11][12] which was originally supposed to run from 1 January 2015 and "shall remain in force until the end of 2024 and beyond" unless terminated with two years' advance notice.[13][14]

The number of troops and contributing nations would fluctuate throughout RSM's period of activity.[15] In October 2019, RSM had its largest size of troops, which was 17,178.[16][17] Moreover, throughout 2015, the RSM had its peak of contributing nations, which was 42.[17] The US accounted for the largest contingent, while Italy, Germany, and Turkey served leading roles.[18] Intended to play a temporary and transitionary role, the mission gradually withdrew its forces, which numbered around 10,000 at the start of 2021. On 14 April 2021 via a North Atlantic Council Ministerial Statement, NATO announced a drawdown of RSM troops by 1 May,[19] and the mission was terminated early September 2021.[20] The last remaining RSM troops to leave was a U.S. military unit commanded by Major General Christopher T. Donahue, which were withdrawn on August 30, 2021.[21][22]

  1. ^ "Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan (2015-2021)".
  2. ^ "Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan (2015-2021)".
  3. ^ "RSM-Placemat" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan (2015-2021)".
  5. ^ "Resolute Support Light: NATO's New Mission versus the ANSF Political Economy". 12 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan (2015-2021)".
  7. ^ "Resolute Support Mission: Key Facts and Figures" (PDF). NATO. February 2021.
  8. ^ "NATO chief, Afghan president welcome "new phase" as combat role ends". DPA. DPA. 2 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  9. ^ "NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan". NATO. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Afghanistan: Security Council backs agreement on new non-combat NATO mission". United Nations News Centre. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  11. ^ a b "S/RES/2189(2014) - e - S/RES/2189(2014) -Desktop".
  12. ^ "Statement by the President on the Signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces Agreement in Afghanistan". The White House. Office of the Press Secretary. 30 September 2014.
  13. ^ Thom Shanker and Rod Nordland (20 November 2013). "Pact May Extend U.S. Troops' Stay in Afghanistan". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  14. ^ "Senators Suggest Termination of US-Afghan Pact". Ariana News. 8 January 2017.
  15. ^ NATO (23 May 2017). "NATO AND AFGHANISTAN: RSM Placemats Archive".
  16. ^ "Resolute Support Mission (RSM): Key Facts and Figures for October 2019" (PDF).
  17. ^ a b NATO. "Archive ISAF Placemats". NATO. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  18. ^ NATO. "Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan". NATO. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  19. ^ "NATO RESOLUTE SUPPORT Mission Is Ending". April 14, 2021.
  20. ^ NATO. "Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan (2015-2021)". NATO. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  21. ^ "Last troops exit Afghanistan, ending America's longest war". AP NEWS. 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  22. ^ Lubold, Nancy A. Youssef and Gordon. "Last U.S. Troops Leave Afghanistan After Nearly 20 Years". WSJ. Retrieved 2022-11-06.