After the conflict between the U.S. – U.K. led alliance and the Taliban ended in late 2001, Thailand was invited by the U.S.A to pledge support to the mission in Afghanistan through the Donor Conference in Japan in January 2002 whether it be under the auspices of the United Nations or the Alliance . An Engineering Battalion was made ready to support both ISAF and the Alliance at the planning stage in July 2002. When it was clear that airfield reconstruction in Bagram was vital to the maintenance of security for peace operations in the country, Thailand provided a construction Engineering Unit of 130 personnel to the Coalition Headquarters in Bagram to join the reconstruction efforts. This operation was the first mission that the Government had funded from its own budget. The Japanese Self Defense Naval Forces provided Thailand with strategic sea lift for the engineering equipment to Afghanistan. The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) has also run routine monthly supply flights from Thailand to Afghanistan. The Thai Engineering Unit has provided excellent construction and engineering services as part of the joint efforts in Bagram. In concert with this military assistance in Bagram, the Government also assisted in humanitarian projects elsewhere in Kabul and around the country.