ISAF stands for the abbreviation of the name International Security Assistance Force, which in turn can be translated into Polish as - International Security Assistance Force. The abbreviation stands for international operational forces led primarily by NATO countries to Afghanistan since 2001. From 2003, ISAF was under NATO command. Initially, these troops were primarily tasked with retaking the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, and the strategically important air base in Bagram from the hands of the Taliban. Over time, ISAF's competences included - to a greater or lesser extent - ensuring the success of the stabilization mission in Afghanistan and the guard of peace in that country. They also indirectly carried out anti-terrorist tasks. In 2009, the ISAF numbered approximately 64,500 soldiers, including approximately 30,000 Americans, approximately 9,000 British, approximately 4,000 Germans, and approximately 2,600 Poles. In the period from 2001 to 2011, a total of approximately 2,600 soldiers operating within ISAF were killed.
United States Armed Forces ) are currently the most powerful and strongest troops in the world, with an active staff of approximately 1.36 million people and a budget of $ 686 billion in 2018. One of their most important components is the ground army, i.e. the United States Army, in which 476,000 soldiers in the line served in 2017. The most numerous type of army in the ground forces is, of course, infantry - primarily motorized and mechanized. It is theoretically assigned to divisions, but in practice it very often operates within the Brigade Combat Team. Infantry units are divided into the classic Infantry Brigade Combat Team, consisting of, inter alia, three infantry battalions and support units. In 2014, it consisted of about 4,400 people and an infantry brigade on Stryker vehicles (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) based on three motorized infantry battalions and support units. In 2014, it had around 4,500 soldiers and 307 Styker vehicles in various versions. The American infantry also serves in Armored Brigade Combat Team, in companies and mechanized infantry battalions. The main shooting weapons of the American infantryman are the 5.56 mm M16 and M4 rifles. As an interesting fact, it can be said that the private (Private E1) US Army earns about $ 20,200 annually, while the sergeant (Sergeant E5) with 2 years of experience - about $ 28,700. These are basic salaries - without any allowances or bonuses.
Contemporary land forces of Afghanistan (called Afghan National Army , abbreviated ANA) were established in December 2002. In 2017, they had approx. 175 thousand. people in active service. Currently, the basic organizational unit of the Afghan army is the Kandak, that is, the appropriate European battalion, which numbers about 600 people. Each kandak is in turn divided into four toli, or companies. In 2005, 28 Kandaks were ready to fight and more were planned to be formed, which to some extent was successful. The lion's share of them consists of infantry units, but mechanized and armored kandaki were also formed. The equipment of Afghan troops is a specific mix of post-Soviet and Western equipment. The basic infantry fighting vehicles are the BMP-1 and the BMP-2. Humwee and M1117 cars are also used on a very large scale. The obsolete T-55 and T-62 are used as Main Battle Tanks. However, the main weapon of the Afghan infantry is either the AK-74 or the M-16. It is worth adding that Poland also provided the Afghan army with a certain number of Beryl assault rifles.