Taking up the reins in Helmand Province

I arrived in Lashkar Gah on 9^th March and took up my new role at precisely 10.45 on 12 March during a “Transfer of Authority” ceremony as it is known in military speak. At the US HQ base in Helmand – Camp Leatherneck, General Toolan – the US Marine Commander – transferred authority to his successor General Gurganus, and Michael O’Neill did the same to me.

As the first ever Joint Military/Civilian Transfer of Authority Ceremony this was a historic event and a clear signal of the very close working relationship between the military and civilians in Helmand.

The organisation which I now head – the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team – works with our coalition and Afghan partners  in supporting peaceful transition to Afghan leadership across Helmand province.  As well as heading the PRT, I am also the ISAF Senior Civilian Representative for South West  Afghanistan.

It’s a unique role and will probably be the toughest leadership challenge of my career.

Life in Helmand is pretty full on. We work 6.5 days a week with Friday morning as our time off.  People say the days are long but the weeks are short and I would agree with that.

During my first two weeks I have been getting up to speed on the range of work covered by the PRT, meeting some of the 200 staff (a mix of civilians and military from the UK, US, Denmark and Estonia), and getting to know my key political interlocutor, the Provincial Governor of Helmand Province, Ghulab Mangal, and my US military counterpart General Gurganus.

I have visited four Districts, attended the reception for the opening of the new Helmand radio station, set in train an assessment of local security issues, and attended a vigil for the six British soldiers tragically killed. I plan to blog on some of these issues over the next few weeks.

The Joint Letter of Operational Intent was recently signed by the Commanding General, Major General Gurganus and Catriona Laing, the Head of Mission for the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team.