LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Thunderbird, held a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, to relinquish their area of operation to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Bronco, out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

“They arrived in theater short two battalions of combat power, the first contributions to ‘surge recovery,’” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, commanding general Combined Joint Task Force 1, Regional Command East. “Yet the mighty Thunderbirds were undeterred in their singular focus to set the conditions in Laghman and Panjshayr provinces for improved Afghan National Security Forces capability.”

In Dec. 2011, TF Thunderbird witnessed the full transition of Panjshayr province to Provincial Governor Keramuddin Karim.

In full partnership with Afghan National Security Forces, TF Thunderbird, conducted four brigade level operations, six enduring operations and 51 battalion and company level operations in aggressive pursuit of the enemies of Afghanistan in Laghman province.

“We went into areas that coalition forces had not seen in years,” said U.S. Army Col. Joel Ward, commander of the 45th IBCT. “The security gains over the past eight months opened doors of opportunity for the people of Laghman province. The future is in their hands and the 1st Bde., 201st Corps, ANA, are prepared to meet the challenges.”

With the gains made in security, development and agricultural projects and confidence in the government became the fuel to build hope back into the province.

The successes of TF Thunderbird came at a heavy cost.

“We will never forget the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others and defend freedom far from home,” said Allyn.

Ward added, “For our wounded, we lift you up in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.”

In his final remarks, 3rd BCT Commander, U.S. Army Col. Richard Kim stated, “As we assume the responsibility from the TF Thunderbird, we pledge to continue build on the progress they helped to create by working shona-ba-shona (shoulder to shoulder) with the governor, provincial governance and development officials, and our ANSF partners.”

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