First Strike Assumes Control of the Zhari District with TOA Ceremony

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.29.2010

Story by Sgt. Joe Padula 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – With the combat boot prints of First Strike Soldiers now upon the rugged terrain of the Kandahar province, Afghanistan, the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), has officially taken control of operations in the Zhari District within the Kandahar province during a Transfer of Authority ceremony held at Forward Operating Base Wilson, May 29.

A Transfer of Authority ceremony, most commonly known as the TOA, occurs when an existing unit hands over its control and responsibilities of their area of operation to an incoming unit. On this day, the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, relinquished its control and responsibility of Zhari.

"The men and women of the First Strike on this historic day assume responsibility to protect the people, strengthen the local government and help build a stronger economic environment in East Zhari," said Lt. Col. Johnny Davis, commander of First Strike, while addressing the audience of US and Canadian soldiers, Afghan National Security Forces and the local leaders of the Zhari District. "We stand ready to assume the mission."

First Strike is deliberate with its intentions in Zhari, putting much emphasis on their partnership with their Afghan counterparts while looking to improving the overall quality of life within the district.

"Our goals here in Kandahar are to join forces and to fight along shoulder to shoulder with the [Afghan National Army] and the [Afghan National Police] to make the government of Afghanistan better than what it is right now," said Command Sgt. Maj. Brandon Haywood, First Strike's command sergeant major, "Some of the things we are doing now that the TOA is complete, is improving on our footprint force protection and ensuring our Soldiers are protected."

The battalion is not hesitating in obtaining its end-state and has already performed operations with Afghan forces.

"They're already working with us right now and we've already conducted two missions with the ANA and the ANP in the area of Zhari," said Haywood. "That's our priority number one – join forces and work with them in everything we do."

For the past year, the 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Regt., have also been operating in a cooperative manner with the Afghan forces. Whether it was combating insurgents near the villages, defending the grape fields, or securing the much needed trade routes on the highways in the district, the "Red Warriors" and ANA forces moved together, and now so will the Soldiers of First Strike.

"Today's ceremony is to transfer the authority of Eastern Zhari District from the battle hardened Red Warriors to the trained, ready and professional Strike Soldiers of Task Force Talon," said Lt. Col. Reik Andersen, commander, 1st. Bn., 12th Inf. Regt.

Sending a message to the local Afghan leaders whom were at the ceremony, including Gov. Miaz Mohammed Sarhadi and District Gov. Karim Jan, Davis said to them in their native Pashto tongue, "We will continue our help and support in the Zhari District and will take care of the locals. We respect you and all of Afghanistan."

"The most impressive thing was when Lt. Col. Davis turned and looked directly at the district governor and spoke to him in Pashto," said Brig. Gen. Frederick Hodges, director of operations, Regional Command South. "That captures exactly the right spirit and more importantly the right mindset on how to do this. Because this is about the Afghans and there is a battalion commander leading by example reaching out to and acknowledging the district governor; very impressive."

• Date Taken: 03.29.2010
• Date Posted: 06.01.2010 03:41
• Story ID: 50623
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF