Report - United States Department of Defense

UNCLASSIFIED
Pakistan Ground Lines of Communication (PAK GLOC), and the Air Lines of Communication
(ALOC). The PAK GLOC is the most cost-effective route of the three, with the ALOCs being
the most expensive though the fastest and most secure. The NDN GLOC is the slowest of the
three and is only used for equipment located north of the Salang Tunnel.
Several factors limit what types of cargo can traverse each route and influence route selection for
various categories of equipment. All three routes are able to accept both rolling and non-rolling
stock 4 , although sensitive and lethal cargo can only utilize the ALOC. Although the NDN can
handle both rolling and non-rolling stock, rolling stock can only utilize the NDN-Russia route
that departs the Hairatan Gate through Uzbekistan. Difficulties with both Uzbek border
formalities and with the U.S. ability to meet agreed requirements have slowed the use of this
route. In the past, PAK GLOC cargo has been frustrated at both the border crossing points and
the ports. During the reporting period, the United States and Pakistan worked to resolve these
issues. The ALOC is limited by the number of available aircraft and the ability to move
equipment to the airports for departure.
During this reporting period, the PAK GLOC was successfully opened to the retrograde of
materials. As of March 31, 2013, USFOR-A has sent 27 pieces of rolling stock across the border
into Pakistan en route to the port of Karachi. Friction points still remain with the truckers’
union and because of Pakistan government inefficiencies. Pakistan has previously closed
borders and routes at various times. USFOR-A anticipates that the PAK GLOC will reach full
outbound capacity by June 2013. Of the inbound cargo that had been stalled in Pakistan while
the GLOC was closed, 80 percent has now crossed into Afghanistan.
1.3: ISAF COMMAND AND CONTROL
Several leadership changes have occurred during the reporting period or will occur in the near
future within the ISAF command and control structure. In February 2013, General Joseph
Dunford, USMC, assumed command of ISAF, replacing General John Allen. The following
commanders will transition their authority to a successor during the next six months: Lieutenant
General Dan Bolger (U.S.), Commander, NATO Training Mission–Afghanistan and Combined
Security Transition Command–Afghanistan, Major General Mark Gurganus (U.S.), Commander,
Regional Command Southwest (RC-SW); Major General Erich Pfeffer (Germay), Commander,
RC-North (RC-N); Brigadier General Dario Rainieri (Italy), Commander, RC-West (RC-W); and
Major General Robert B. Abrams (U.S.), Commander, RC-South (RC-S). In addition, Major
General William Mayville (U.S.), Commander, RC-East (RC-E) conducted transfer of authority
on March 14, 2013.
In anticipation of the end of the ISAF mission, ISAF has established the NATO Afghanistan
Transformation Task Force (NATTF), effective January 1, 2013. This task force will identify,
plan, negotiate, implement and monitor current ISAF tasks prior to transition. NATTF will then
facilitate the transformation, transfer, or termination of tasks to enable the transition from ISAF
to the post-2014 NATO mission in Afghanistan.
4 “Rolling Stock” refers to cargo that is able to travel by train.
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