CTU transfer of responsibility parade

TARIN KOWT, AFGHANISTAN

05.15.2013

Story by Mark Doran 

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command         

TARIN KOT, Afghanistan - Combined Team Uruzgan’s transfer of responsibility parade was held at the Multinational Base Tarin Kot May 15.

Close to 75 Australian defense personnel who deployed in October 2012 with the fourth rotation of Combined Team Uruzgan paraded with their coalition partners from the U.S., Singapore and Slovakia and the fifth CTU rotation.

The formal ceremony included the handover of the regimental sergeant majors’s pace stick from Warrant Officer Class 1 Wayne Hay to Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Tyrell and the presentation of operational medals and commendations.

Bronze Star Medals were awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 Wayne Hay and Maj. Ryan Barrow.

Col. Simon Stuart, CTU commander, told the fourth rotation of CTU he considered himself most fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work alongside and lead what he considered to be an exceptionally talented and dedicated team.

“There was a strong mission focus from the outset and we quickly formed a strong bond with our brothers and sisters from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and the Singaporean armed forces during our workup before we joined forces with our Slovak partners in Tarin Kot,” he said.

“The bond that was formed was based on respect and became stronger over time as we shared experience and fellowship,” he said. “It was a bond that became a valued friendship.”

As he thanked his team for their endeavor and hard work, Stuart said they were indefatigable.

“You met every day with good humor, tenacity and perseverance in equal measure,” he said. “Be proud of your achievements - your efforts have made a very real contribution to our mission and to the lives of everyday Uruzganis and their future prospects.

The Afghan National Security Force in this province have gone from strength to strength and, importantly, their progress is sustainable.”

The fifth and final rotation of CTU’s Australian personnel will be a period of significant change as they continue the complex retrograde task while still enabling their Afghan partners in the pursuit of security independence in Uruzgan by December 2013.

Breakout

Australian personnel awarded Joint Task Force commendations:

Gunner Travis Stewart
Leading Seaman Image Specialist Andrew Dakin
Capt. Chloe Dray
Capt. Blake Simmons
Capt. Sarah Nielsen
Capt. Kane Russell
Maj. Justin Bywater
Maj. Colin Grover
Maj. Nigel Earnshaw

U.S. personnel awarded Joint Task Force commendations:

Spc. 1st Class Jarod Weatherford
Spc. 1st Class Angelo Bello
Lt. Noyes Livingston
Capt. Robert Rue
Capt. Meagan Gerrity
Capt.Brian McGowan
Capt. Jayson Dickerson

Australian personnel awarded U.S. Army commendation medals:

Capt. Chloe Dray
Capt. Blake Simmons

• Date Taken: 05.15.2013
• Date Posted: 05.22.2013 07:24
• Story ID: 107354
• Location: TARIN KOWT, AF