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By: 1LT MARCO F. KILONGKILONG
ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers of the Romanian Military Advisory Team, 1st Mechanized Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, hosted a transfer of authority ceremony with an American Security Forces Assistance Team at Forward Operating Base Apache Aug. 1, 2013.
After spending nearly seven months in the Zabul province training, advising and developing the 5th Combat Service Support Kandak of the 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps of the Afghan National Army, Lt. Col. Sorin Enache, commander, Romanian Military Advisory Team, noted his unit’s departure as being bittersweet.
“I had a pleasant time. It was useful time,” said Enache. “I am very impressed with the Afghans as partners, too.”
Enache passed his responsibility to Maj. Bradley Smith, SFAT team leader, and the mission to sustain the advise and assist efforts.
“Our Romanian comrades built an enduring relationship and really set us up for success,” acknowledged Smith. “They showed us how to maintain that relationship (with our ANA counterparts) and how to build from it. We hope to add to the legacy they leave behind.”
A challenge Smith said he and his SFAT faces is developing ways to increase the capability and capacity of the logistical arm of the ANA brigade.
During the ceremony, three very distinct cultures bonded as the ANA, Romanian, and American chaplains, each, prayed for each other, expressing a safe journey for the Romanians, and for the Americans and ANA, the strength to perform well with the mission.
Lieutenant Col. Mohammad Wali, the executive officer, 2nd Bde., 205th Corps, noted sadness with the departure of the Romanian advisors, but was excited for the new relationship his unit will forge with the American team from Task Force Duke.
“I have had the chance to work with this unit in the past when I was the 2nd Infantry Kandak Commander,” said Wali. “The Romanians joined me on missions and were good mentors for us. I hope to one day visit Romania and see their beautiful people. I have high hopes for the new advisors.”
In his acknowledgements, Smith challenged his team saying “(The ANA) success is our success … and it is their duty to increase their ability.”
Following the ceremony, the Romanians shared a final meal with their Afghan counterparts and the American SFAT began to build the foundation of a new relationship.
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2013 04:40 |
| Story ID: | 111549 |
| Location: | ZABUL PROVINCE, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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