A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is a unit introduced by the United States government, consisting of military officers, diplomats, and reconstruction subject matter experts, working to support reconstruction efforts in unstable states. PRTs were first established in Afghanistan in late 2001 or early 2002, and as of 2008 operate there as well as in Iraq. While the concepts are similar, PRTs in Afghanistan and Iraq have separate compositions and missions. Their common purpose, however, is to empower local governments to govern their constituents more effectively.
PRTs were originally built and operated by U.S. forces as means of facilitating reconstruction efforts in provinces outside the capital, Kabul. Following NATO's involvement in Afghanistan, command of some PRTs was transferred from the US to the nations under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
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A PRT includes a military component (Civil Affairs/Force Protection, etc.), civilian police advisors, and civilian representatives of US (or other national) government foreign affairs agencies. In a US-led PRT, this generally includes a representative from USAID, the Department of State, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice. They are assisted by public diplomacy and reporting staff.
An Afghan PRT is commanded by a military officer, generally of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is supported by a civil affairs team and platoon of National Guard soldiers for security. The staff generally numbers between sixty and one hundred persons. There is no lead agency or department; the US government civilians and the military commander form an executive committee of equals which develops a strategy for the PRT, drawing on the expertise of all contributing agencies. Activities in Afghanistan focus on extending the reach of the central government into the provinces.[1]
In an Iraq PRT, the Team Leader is a civilian who reports to the US Department of State, and his deputy is generally a military officer. While civil affairs members are present on the team, there are more civilians than military personnel on the team. Functional areas include rule of law, reconstruction and development, agriculture, and governance. Some Iraq PRTs are embedded into the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) with which they are colocated (ePRT). The BCT retains responsibility for providing security for the civilian team members. In contrast to Afghanistan, Iraq PRTs focus on building the governance capacity at the local levels of government.[1]
The main funding for PRT's comes from PRDC (Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committee) and QRF (Quick Response Fund) programs under ISAF. Also some funding comes from USAID; namely under the CSP (Community Stabilization Program); the LGP (Local Governance Program); CAP (Community Action Program); Izdihar Economic Growth Program; and INMA Agri-business Program.[2]
Additional sources are: the Iraq Reconstruction and Relief Fund (IRRF), the Commanders Emergency Response Fund (CERP) is the main fund used by the United States Army or USMC Civil Affairs Teams in both Iraq and Afghanistan.By the new regulations that came out in early 2009, the Iraqi Government has to pay half (50%) of projects above $750,000. Afghanistan's corrupt central government does not pay as much as it should to its provinces but often tells local district managers to not bother them for additional funding and ask the PRT to serve their needs(this is contrary to what the PRT is there for: to build up the province then leave once the government is stronger and economic development is self-sustaining).
CERP Officers have authority to sign agreements with contractors up to $200,000. The Pay Agent disburses cash or pays by electronic transfer (EFT) in Afghanistan. Bureaucratic red tape goes up exponentially when amounts go above $200K. The PRT Commander(LTC) can approve projects up to $25,000. Common projects such as hospital,electricity, road,school, drinking well and canal construction projects are common. The projects can't be split up in phases. They need to be reviewed by JAG and contracting. The CERP guidelines are very strict. The projects can't indirectly or directly help coalition forces. The monies can't be used by Police or security forces. The funding can't be used to pay salaries. CERP Projects from up to $200,000 have to be approved by the Task Force Commander (Colonel). Funding above that level has to go through quite a bit of review. Above 1 million dollars, it gets reviewed and rereviewed at the highest levels at the FLAG/Multinational Force Level. The contracts are written in US Engineering standards even thought its doubtful that the Iraqis or Afghans will abide by some of the earthquake and other modern standards. Commander's Emergency Response Funds often go unutilized due to the levels of bureaucracy required to approve it. The Army usually pays by electronic funds transfer as pay agents are discouraged from paying cash to contractors in Afghanistan. The projects are paid in phases where engineers work through project details with contractors. If the contractors fail the performance work standard, the engineer can recommend the PRT withhold funds until project deficiencies are corrected. The project can also be cancelled. One of the issues that holds up a project is sustainability. If the project can't be self sustaining, such as an electric utility in a small village or town, it will not be approved by higher headquarters. Mandated 'Terms of Use' contracts are signed by the end user of the projects to insure PRTs are providing a self-sufficient resource and will not be responsible for its upkeep. One year guarantee on contractor workmanship is standard, however local officials often test newly rotated PRTs to see if they will pay for items, maintenance and upkeep related to earlier projects.
Other funds that are not used by the Civil Affairs Section: the Development Fund for Iraq. (DFI) and new funding targeted specifically for USAID Focused Stabilization, Community Action and Local Governance Program (LGP) as well as PRT development funding.[3]
The overall PRT-idea in Afghanistan was, and is, to use relatively small joint civil-military units to achieve three objectives. These PRT-objectives are to improve security, to extend the authority of the Afghan central government, and finally to facilitate reconstruction.[4] [5]
The first PRT was located in Gardez in Paktia Province, co-located with US Special Forces "A" team members. Civil affairs team provided the daily contact with locals and tribal leaders. A contingent of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division provided security in and around the compound. The sole civilian when the PRT became fully operational on February 1, 2003, was Thomas Praster of the State Department. At the end of March, he was joined by former US Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Hampton, who worked under contract with the USAID providing overwatch to the rebuilding of schools and medical clinics throughout Paktia, Khwost, and Ghazni Provinces.
Security was always an issue as the 100 by 125 foot mud-walled compound was attacked over 35 times by 105 mm rockets and RPGs. The PRT initiative has been expanded throughout most of the provinces for the purpose of reconstruction and reconciliation programs throughout Afghanistan. The 1st Provincial Reconstruction Team laid the critical cornerstones to future PRT initiatives throughout Afghanistan. PRTs have been part of the NATO-led ISAF mission since October 5, 2006.
The training for the majority of the American PRTs took place at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, it has now been moved to Camp Atterbury, Indiana.[6] The training is overseen by the 189th Infantry Brigade, which specializes in training PRTs. Other units, including the 158th Infantry Brigade, support the 189th as it trains the PRTs in groups of twelve at a time. The training takes anywhere from six weeks to three months.[7]
As of November 2008 there were twenty-six PRTs in Afghanistan, each commanded by one of the ISAF member-states.[8]
The HQ is at Mazari Sharif (or Mazār-e Sharīf) , and is led by German forces. There are 5 PRTs beneath it.
The HQ is at Herat and is led by Italian forces. There are (as of November 2008) 4 PRTs beneath it.
On July 31, 2006, ISAF assumed command over the southern region of Afghanistan. The HQ is at Kandahar. On November 1, 2006, Dutch forces took over command from Canadian Forces. There are 4 PRTs underneath it.
On October 5, 2006, ISAF also assumed command of the PRTs in the eastern region of Afghanistan. The HQ is at Bagram and led by US Forces.
The PRT concept was imported from Afghanistan into Iraq in 2005. That year, 10 PRTs were established in Ninewa, at-Ta'Mim, Salah ad-Din, Diyala, Basra (UK), Dhi Qar (Italy), Erbil (South Korea), Baghdad, Anbar, and Babil.[1] As part of the Iraq War troop surge of 2007, the number of PRTs was expanded to cover every province in the country.[15] Additionally, ePRTs were rolled out to work with the sub-provincial levels of government. By 2008, there were 31 PRTs, including 13 ePRTs, located throughout Iraq.[16]
Ruiz, Moses. 2009. Sharpening the Spear: The United States’ Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan, Applied Research Project. Texas State University. http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/297/
   | Provincial Reconstruction Teams - US State Department - Page Not Found |
| | Provincial Reconstruction Teams - Global Security - Provincial Reconstruction Teams |
| | Oral Histories Project on Stability Operations - The Margarita S. Studemeister Digital Collections in International Conflict Management | United States Institute of Peace |
| | NATO-ISAF supports education in Afghanistan - NATO Update: NATO-ISAF supports education in Afghanistan - 6 November 2006 |
| | News about Canadian Forces in Kandahar, via MILNEWS.ca - MILNEWS.ca / CANinKandahar |
| | Turkey To Open 27th Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan - DefenseLink News Article: Turkey To Open 27th Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan |
| | Nuristan PRT brings professional training to ANP - Nuristan PRT brings professional training to ANP |
| | Provincial Reconstruction Team - Canadian Forces - HTTP Error 404 - Not Found | Erreur HTTP 404 - Non trouvé |
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