Summary Report: U.S.- UK Integration in Helmand

Abstract : For over a century the United States and United Kingdom have maintained a close and generally harmonious relationshipparticularly during and since World War II. Statesmen on both sides of the Atlantic have remarked on this special relationship: The Anglo-American relationship has done more for the defense and future of freedom than any other alliance in the world, according to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.; (footnote 2) The relationship between the U.S. and UK has often been described as special or essential and it has been described thus simply because it is in the words of Secretary of State John Kerry.(footnote 3) One attribute of this special relationship is close cooperation and partnership between the U.S. and UK militaries. (footnote 4) This was clearly seen during World War II, when American and British forces worked together in an integrated command structure. (footnote 5) Likewise, since World War II, the relationship between the two militaries has been marked by extensive intelligence sharing, robust exchange programs, and intentional efforts to make equipment and training compatible. The relationship has also included combined involvement in military operations: British forces havecontributed to all U.S.-led major combat operations since World War II (except Vietnam), including Korea, Operation Desert Storm (1991), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003).