<p><br /> Around 8,000 British troops in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, will be placed under the operational command of the United States, it has been announced.<br /> </p><p><br /> As part of a restructuring plan, command and control in southern Afghanistan will be split into two areas, according to the Ministry of Defence.<br /> </p><p><br /> Command will be rotated between US and UK forces under the new structure.<br /> </p><p><br /> The first commander in Helmand will be Major General Richard Mills of the US Marine Corps.<br /> </p>
