ANSF accepts Camp Julien in transfer ceremony

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

03.20.2013

Story by Capt. Marvin Baker 

Joint Task Force 136th (Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)

KABUL, Afghanistan — Leaders in Task Force Centurion officially transferred responsibility of Camp Julien to Afghan National Security Forces during a transfer ceremony here March 12.

As the ANSF increasingly take the lead for security, the footprint of International Security Assistance Force troops and base requirements will progressively decrease.

“I think this represents a step forward for the Afghan National Army,” said the camp’s former commander, Lt. Col. John Gordy of Task Force Centurion. “As our mission winds down, the Afghan National Army has to be able to step up and take over.”

Gordy said that he was notified back in October that the camp he commanded would close prior to the end of his tour. With only a few months to complete his task, the first thing Gordy did was to notify all the coalition forces who lived and worked on the camp that it would close in the spring.

“No one wanted to leave,” Gordy said. “Julien was a very popular base, because of its cleaner air and scenic mountain views.”

But Julien’s leaders faced a challenge bigger than losing the picturesque setting. They had to become educated quickly on the camp transfer process, including forecasting the number of trucks and cranes needed to move buildings, supplies and people. In the end, the Julien transfer was completed ahead of schedule.

Representatives from the Afghan Ministry of Defense attended the ceremony and accepted the keys to the camp from Task Force Centurion commander, Brig. Gen. William Hall. During their remarks at the ceremony, Hall and Lt. Gen. Azizuddin Yosufzai, Afghan Ministry of Defense commander, said the Afghan people are ready for this transition.

The ANSF are growing more capable each day and are already bearing the greatest share of security operations. The Afghan people look forward to the day when their country is self-sufficient, Yosufzai added.

In the past, nearly 500 coalition troops lived on Camp Julien and mentored Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. The camp, now in the hands of the Afghan government, will continue to be used as a training center by the ANSF.

Task Force Centurion is responsible for the management and security of the Kabul Base Cluster, which houses nearly 9,000 coalition service members. Before the soldiers in the Texas Army National Guard’s 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade end their tour later this summer, the unit’s leaders plan to transfer another coalition base to ANSF.

The transfer of Camp Julien marks Task Force Centurion’s second major milestone during its deployment. Its first major project expanded the capacity and aerial security at Camp Qargha in Kabul.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2013
• Date Posted: 03.20.2013 05:38
• Story ID: 103779
• Location: KABUL, AF