Despite ISR assets being critical to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, as coalition forces withdraw from theatre this capability will not immediately be carried over to Afghan security elements, a leading official has revealed.
Air Cdre Mike Wigston, director of air operations for ISAF Joint Command between November 2011 and November 2012, told an International Institute for Strategic Studies meeting in London that ISR capability will be available right up until the planned withdrawal in 2014, although it is not deemed a primary concern for the Afghan military to continue with it.
‘In terms of the ground commanders and the