The Pentagon has officially activated an organization in Afghanistan that will bring all U.S. forces operating in the country under one command.

U.S. Forces — Afghanistan will fall under Gen. David D. McKiernan, who is also the commander of NATO’s International Security and Assistance Force.

The new arrangement brings about 20,000 U.S. servicemembers operating under the "Operation Enduring Freedom" banner under the larger command.

"The ISAF and OEF chains of command will remain separate and distinct, and U.S. Central Command will continue to oversee U.S. counterterrorism and detainee operations," a Pentagon news release read.

The new command will help eliminate some of the confusions in command and control in Afghanistan, where several different commands are involved in various aspects of the multinational mission.

Over the past year, the insurgency in Afghanistan has gained strength and, with it, more attention from the U.S. and international military communities.

Some 32,000 U.S. troops are in the country now, with plans to send several thousand more over the coming months.

More than 230 U.S. and NATO servicemembers have died in Afghanistan this year, the highest total since the war began.