Updated: Updated with revised deployed service personnel figures.
UK forces are deployed to Afghanistan in support of the UN-authorised, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and as part of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Since 2003 UK operations in Afghanistan have been conducted under the name Operation Herrick.
Read about the government’s policy on Afghanistan
UK forces in theatre (from April 2013)
Our forces in Afghanistan at the end of May 2013 were around 7,900 and will fall to around 6,000 in the Autumn in line with drawdown and security transition. The majority of this force is deployed in the south. In addition, the UK also provides Service personnel in support of the ISAF and OEF headquarters, both of which are in Kabul.
The UK forces deployed to Afghanistan from April to September 2013 on Operation Herrick 18 include elements of the following Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force units:
1st Mechanized Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (215)
847 Naval Air Squadron
857 Naval Air Squadron
Household Cavalry Regiment
1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
Elements of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery
Elements of 16th Regiment Royal Artillery
Elements of 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery
Elements of 39th Regiment Royal Artillery
Elements of 47th Regiment Royal Artillery
22 Engineer Regiment
Elements of 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault)
Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
Elements of 36 Engineer Regiment (Search)
Elements of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic)
Elements of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group
Elements of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment
Elements of 10th Signal Regiment
Elements of 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare)
Elements of 15th Signal Regiment (Information Support)
Elements of 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support)
Elements of 1st Battalion Irish Guards
2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
4th Battalion The Rifles
Elements of 1 Regiment Army Air Corps
Elements of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps
Elements of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps
Elements of Joint Helicopter Support Squadron
3 Logistic Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
9 Theatre Logistic Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Elements of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Elements of 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Elements of 24 Postal Courier and Movement Control Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Elements of 29 Postal Courier and Movement Control Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
5 Medical Regiment
33 Field Hospital
6 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Elements of 7 Air Assault Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Elements of 104 Force Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
158 Provost Company Royal Military Police
Elements of 156 Provost Company Royal Military Police
Elements of Special Investigations Branch (United Kingdom) Royal Military Police
Elements of Military Provost Staff Corps
Elements of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment
Elements of 2 Military Intelligence (Exploitation) Battalion
Elements of 4 Military Intelligence Battalion
Elements of the Military Stabilisation Support Group
Elements of 15 (United Kingdom) Psychological Operations Group
Elements of the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit
Elements of The Royal Yeomanry
Elements of 104th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
Elements of 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
Elements of 72 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Engineer Regiment (Volunteers)
Elements of 71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment (Volunteers)
Elements of 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Elements of 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
Elements of 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Elements of 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment
Elements of 7th Battalion The Rifles
Elements of the Scottish Transport Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers)
Elements of the Welsh Transport Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers)
Elements of 88 Postal and Courier Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers)
Elements of 159 Supply Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers)
Elements of 148 Expeditionary Force Institute Squadron, The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers)
Elements of 103 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Volunteers)
Elements of 3 Military Intelligence Battalion (Volunteers)
Elements of 5 Military Intelligence Battalion (Volunteers)
31 Squadron, Royal Air Force
12 (Bomber) Squadron, Royal Air Force
2 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment
3 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment
Number 3 RAF Force Protection Wing Headquarters
Number 2 Tactical Police Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 47 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 30 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 32 (The Royal) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 28 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 216 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 13 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 18 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 99 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 33 (Engineering) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 90 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force
Elements of Number 1 Air Control Centre, Royal Air Force
Elements of Tactical Supply Wing, Royal Air Force
Elements of Number 1 Air Mobility Wing, Royal Air Force
Elements of Tactical Medical Wing, Royal Air Force
Elements of 2 (Mechanical Transport) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of 93 (Expeditionary Armament) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Elements of Engineering Logistics Wing, RAF Odiham
British casualties in Afghanistan
All casualties suffered by UK forces are a source of profound regret. UK personnel put their lives on the line to help the people of Afghanistan to build a strong and stable country; we cannot pay high enough tribute to the job that they are doing, or the sacrifice some of them have made.
MOD is committed to publishing casualty statistics, openly and on our website. While we do not publish statistics for all personnel who require minor treatment, we do record details of all personnel who need to be admitted to our field hospitals with more serious injuries and with diseases.
The Defence Medical Services aspire to provide first class treatment for all injured or ill Service personnel, aiming to restore them to full fitness or, where this is not possible, to the best state of health their condition permits. We also work closely with the NHS to ensure a smooth transition into NHS care when responsibility for their healthcare transfers at the point of demobilisation for reservists or discharge for regulars.
Casualty figures
For the period 7 October 2001 to 31 December 2005
Centrally available records show that:
6 UK military personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease
4 UK military personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease
Work continues to verify and validate data for aeromedical evacuations and field hospital admission in both Iraq and Afghanistan prior to January 2006. Once this data is compiled it will be added to the website.
For the period 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2013
Centrally available records show that:
2,139 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action.
4,748 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries.
295 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
301 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
6,842 aeromedical evacuations have taken place for UK military and civilian personnel injured or ill in Afghanistan.
For further details see:
Afghanistan Casualty and Fatality Statistics
British fatalities
Read the full Roll of Honour
Chronology of events - 2013
The UK is providing a number of British military and civilian personnel in support of NATO-led military operations in Afghanistan. The UK contribution, which began in October 2001 following the terrorist attacks on the United States, has helped to bring about the fall of the Taliban regime. This subsequently paved the way for the first ever parliamentary elections in Afghanistan which took place on 18 September 2005.
British forces, under the command of the International Security Assistance Force and along with US and other allies from the international community, continue to work with the new, democratically-elected Afghan Government to build stability and maintain security across the country.
13 Jul 13 - His Royal Highness The Duke of York has travelled to Afghanistan where he met with British troops serving in Helmand province.
10 Jul 13 - The Defence Secretary has announced that 7th Armoured Brigade will lead the next group of UK Armed Forces personnel deployed to Afghanistan.
29 Jun 13 - The Prime Minister visited troops in Afghanistan and announced £3.8 million for troops’ families & veterans’ mental health projects.
21 Jun 13 - Royal Air Force engineers working in the Tornado Detachment are key to operations in Afghanistan by ensuring the aircraft are ready to fly.
19 Jun 13 - As the drawdown of UK forces continues apace in Helmand, a senior officer talks of the unprecedented redeployment of equipment taking place.
18 Jun 13 - Afghan soldiers have been honing their sniping skills under the expert tuition of marksmen from 4th Battalion The Rifles.
18 Jun 13 - NATO-led forces have formally handed over the last of Afghanistan’s 95 districts to Afghan security forces.
16 Jun 13 - A father and son from Kent, will this year spend Father’s Day together – in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
15 Jun 13 - 125 UK Service personnel have been granted state honours by Her Majesty The Queen in the annual Birthday Honours list.
15 Jun 13 - The headquarters of British forces deployed in Afghanistan is set to move from Lashkar Gah to Camp Bastion this summer.
14 Jun 13 - An RAF Tornado Squadron is being put through its paces at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland this week as it makes final preparations for a deployment to Afghanistan.
6 Jun 13 - The MOD intends to restart the transfer of detainees captured by UK forces into the Afghan judicial system.
6 Jun 13 - The head of the British Army visited UK Service personnel working in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.
4 Jun 13 - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced the redundancy options available for the UK’s locally engaged staff in Afghanistan.
4 Jun 13 - A Royal Navy commando chaplain has deployed to Afghanistan to provide support to troops, and travels around Camp Bastion on his ‘God Quad’.
4 Jun 13 - The UK’s Merlin helicopter fleet has concluded operations in Afghanistan after providing nearly 4 years of continuous front line support.
1 Jun 13 - The 1st Battalion Scots Guards paraded in Glasgow to celebrate their return from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
30 May 13 - Soldiers who thwarted a rocket attack on Camp Bastion in February were awarded their richly-deserved Afghanistan campaign medals.
30 May 13 - The 1st Battalion Scots Guards paraded in Inverness to mark their return from a 6-month tour in Afghanistan.
29 May 13 - The Princess Royal has presented Operational Service Medals to members of 2 Signal Regiment recently returned from Afghanistan.
22 May 13 - The final tour of duty in Afghanistan of the Commando Helicopter Force fliers of 847 Naval Air Squadron has ended.
21 May 13 - The mother of a British soldier, posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions in Afghanistan, has spoken of her pride for her son.
20 May 13 - Soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment were welcomed back from operations in Afghanistan by crowds in Cumbria.
16 May 13 - A heroes’ welcome greeted Royal Marines of 40 Commando in Taunton as thousands turned out to welcome them home from Afghanistan.
15 May 13 - Thirteen MOD civilians were officially recognised for their work supporting the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.
13 May 13 - UK nurses in Afghanistan marked International Nurses Week by remembering fellow nurses who have served in conflict zones across the globe.
10 May 13 - Reservists and regular soldiers have been honoured by the Prince of Wales for their service operating the Army’s helicopters in Afghanistan.
8 May 13 - British and Afghan soldiers have destroyed a significant insurgent bomb cache in Helmand province.
7 May 13 - British soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers have handed Afghan security forces control of a checkpoint in Helmand province.
2 May 13 - Hundreds of personnel from 4th Mechanized Brigade gathered in York Minster for a service of remembrance and thanksgiving.
30 Apr 13 - Corporal William Savage and Fusilier Samuel Flint, both from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and Private Robert Hetherington, from 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed in Afghanistan after their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
30 Apr 13 - Corporal Luke Townsend is returning to the UK after a successful tour of Afghanistan in which he managed to break up a bomb-making network.
29 Apr 13 - A Royal Navy reservist has created a hit radio programme in Helmand province inspired by BBC Radio 4’s popular soap opera ‘The Archers’.
25 Apr 13 - British military personnel joined their coalition partners from Australia and New Zealand in commemorating Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day.
20 Apr 13 - Soldiers of 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland marched through Edinburgh on Saturday to mark their return from Afghanistan.
18 Apr 13 - Two RAF Regiment personnel have been honoured for their actions in defending Camp Bastion in Afghanistan against an insurgent attack.
17 Apr 13 - A young combat medical technician awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service talks about her experiences in Afghanistan.
16 Apr 13 - Senior British military officers described the progress being made in southern Afghanistan at a media briefing in London.
15 Apr 13 - A Military Cross winner from last summer’s operational tour in Helmand province talks about his experiences.
12 Apr 13 - A soldier who led an assault after being injured in an ambush, and the medic who saved his life, have both been awarded the Military Cross.
11 Apr 13 - A British soldier who dragged an injured comrade 20 metres across open ground while under enemy fire in Afghanistan has been honoured.
10 Apr 13 - The Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade has taken command of Task Force Helmand in southern Afghanistan marking the start of Operation Herrick 18.
10 Apr 13 - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has responded to points made in a House of Commons Defence Select Committee report on Afghanistan.
9 Apr 13 - The last full Royal Marines commando group to serve in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick is returning to the UK.
9 Apr 13 - A soldier who risked his life in Afghanistan to rescue a wounded comrade during a ferocious ambush has been awarded a Mention in Despatches.
8 Apr 13 - A soldier who assisted the injured crew of a stricken vehicle in Afghanistan while under fire has been awarded a Mention in Despatches.
5 Apr 13 - A soldier who went to live in Spain and joined the British Army’s Royal Gibraltar Regiment has been awarded a Mention in Despatches.
5 Apr 13 - A British Army chef has been recognised by the senior UK commander in Helmand for his social and culinary contributions in Afghanistan.
4 Apr 13 - A Territorial Army soldier who fought off Afghan insurgents after his 2 senior officers were shot has been awarded a Mention in Despatches.
4 Apr 13 - More than 3,000 miles from his home parish in Kent, Reverend (Flight Lieutenant) Matt Buchan has become the first RAF reservist chaplain to deploy to Afghanistan.
3 Apr 13 - 2 future RAF pilots have been providing vital language and aviation training to aspiring Afghan pilots in Herat province, Afghanistan.
3 Apr 13 - An RAF pilot who risked his life to rescue UK and Afghan forces under fire in Helmand province has received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
26 Mar 13 - Lance Corporal Jamie Webb, of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), died in an ISAF Hospital in Afghanistan from wounds sustained during an enemy attack on his patrol base in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province the previous day.
25 Mar 13 - A soldier who removed his helmet and body armour, under attack, to carry a stricken comrade to safety has been commended for his bravery.
22 Mar 13 - The Head of the Army paid tribute to the 118 UK Service personnel named in today’s Operational Honours List at the famous military academy.
22 Mar 13 - A total of 118 members of the Armed Forces have received honours and awards in the Operational Honours List dated today, 22 March 2013.
19 Mar 13 - Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland are deploying to Afghanistan and 847 Naval Air Squadron is already at work there.
18 Mar 13 - Personnel from IX (Bomber) Squadron have returned from a successful 4-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Herrick.
18 Mar 13 - The ‘supremely courageous and inspiring’ actions of a soldier killed in Afghanistan to be recognised with UK’s highest award for gallantry.
12 Mar 13 - Soldiers from 104 Military Working Dog Unit and their canine partners are this week deploying to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 18.
11 Mar 13 - After years of searching for her long-lost mother, an Army officer currently based in Afghanistan has finally found her.
7 Mar 13 - In recognition of International Women’s Day on 8 March, we are profiling women making their mark in the Armed Forces, Sergeant Beth Wilson on serving in Afghanistan.
6 Mar 13 - RAF firefighters serving in Afghanistan have been training Afghans to take the lead for fire safety in Camp Shorabak, Helmand province.
6 Mar 13 - RAF helicopter crews have exercised with their counterparts from the Royal Danish Air Force in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.
1 Mar 13 - 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment has completed its final training exercise and will shortly deploy to Afghanistan.
27 Feb 13 - Soldiers from the 1st Mechanized Brigade Reconnaissance Force have conducted their final training exercise on Salisbury Plain.
25 Feb 13 - 70 soldiers from the Scots Guards Battle Group have returned home early from Afghanistan as the Afghan Police take responsibility for security in their area of operations.
25 Feb 13 - Afghanistan’s Defence Minister has visited the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to see how it can influence officer training plans in his country.
22 Feb 13 - The Afghan National Security Forces’ newest explosive experts have marked the completion of their training with a ceremony at their base in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand province.
20 Feb 13 - Gurkha soldiers returned to the UK today as British forces continue to reduce troop numbers in Afghanistan and hand over to local security forces.
19 Feb 13 - Marines from 40 Commando have successfully trained 27 reconnaissance troops for the Afghan National Army’s 3/215 Brigade.
14 Feb 13 - Afghanistan-bound members of 1st Mechanized Brigade have showed off kit and demonstrated their skills at a media event on Salisbury Plain.
14 Feb 13 - The Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, has presented Afghanistan campaign medals to 26 civilian employees working for the Defence Support Group in a ceremony at MOD Donnington.
13 Feb 13 - Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has welcomed President Obama’s announcement that US troop numbers will be reduced by 34,000 by this time next year, ahead of the departure of all NATO combat troops by the end of 2014.
13 Feb 13 - More than 100 Royal Marines from 40 Commando are returning home early from Afghanistan after handing over to Afghan forces.
12 Feb 13 - The units due to deploy to Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick 18 have been announced by the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.
7 Feb 13 - The Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, has visited UK troops in Helmand as part of a two-day trip to Afghanistan.
6 Feb 13 - The vital job of making deliveries of kit and personnel to the front line in Afghanistan comes with no shortage of challenges.
4 Feb 13 - British troops in Afghanistan are the first to use state-of-the-art handheld nano surveillance helicopters.
1 Feb 13 - A Royal Marine who rescued a severely wounded colleague in Afghanistan while under enemy fire has been presented with a Military Cross.
24 Jan 13 - The commander of Afghan troops who work alongside British forces to provide security in Helmand province has visited the UK to help our troops prepare for deployment to the area.
24 Jan 13 - British-trained Afghan forces have demonstrated their expanding capability by successfully leading a large and complex operation to build a bridge over the Nahr-e Saraj canal in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
22 Jan 13 - Captain Wales leaves Afghanistan after a successful tour as an Apache pilot.
16 Jan 13 - Kingsman David Robert Shaw from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment has died in the UK today, Wednesday 16 January, from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
11 Jan 13 - Two Defence ministers have travelled to Afghanistan and the Middle East to visit British Service personnel on operations.
8 Jan 13 - Sapper Richard Reginald Walker from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 7 January 2013.
Chronology of events - 2012
21 Dec 12 - The UK Prime Minister praised armed forces success during visit to Camp Bastion.
19 Dec 12 - UK force levels in Afghanistan are to reduce to around 5,200 by the end of 2013, the Prime Minister announced today.
14 Dec 12 - Soldiers from the Scots Guards have returned home from Afghanistan after handing security in their area of Helmand over to Afghan forces.
13 Dec 12 - When ground troops find themselves in trouble on the front line they have the reassurance of knowing that help is invariably close at hand.
12 Dec 12 - Royal Marines have helped the latest batch of Afghan police officers complete their training in Helmand.
10 Dec 12 - The first tranche of British troops to be sent home from Afghanistan, as announced by the Prime Minister last year, returned to the UK at the weekend.
7 Dec 12 - The RAF’s No 7 Force Protection Wing has taken over Force Protection duties at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
7 Dec 12 - Troops from 1 SCOTS have supported the Afghan Army as they planned and led a large operation to clear an area of Afghanistan of insurgents.
4 Dec 12 - Soldiers from the King’s Royal Hussars have received their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
4 Dec 12 - The First Sea Lord has paid a flying visit to 40 Commando Royal Marines in Afghanistan while on a tour to receive an overview of military operations.
1 Dec 12 - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the 1st Royal Tank Regiment have all taken part in homecoming parades in recent days, cheered on by family, friends and the public.
November 2012 - January 2012
Older chronologies of events
January 2011 - December 2011
May 2010 - December 2010
January 2009 - May 2010
January 2008 - December 2008
January 2007 - December 2007
February 2003 - December 2006
September 2001 - December 2002