Afghan National Security Forces take security lead in southern Afghanistan

News: Afghan National Security Forces take security lead in southern Afghanistan

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

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Story by Sgt. Ashley Curtis Subscribe To This Journalist

Sgt. Ashley Curtis

Toryalai Wesa, Kandahar provincial governor, Amir Mohammad Akhunzada, Uruzgan provincial governor, and Maj. Gen. Abdul Hamid, 205th Hero Corps commander, gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the day Afghan National Security forces take the security lead in the region at Camp Hero in Kandahar province, July 1, 2012. Regional Command (South) is the first region in Afghanistan to be lead by ANSF forces.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces assumed responsibility of security from International Security Forces in Regional Command (South) during a ceremony at Camp Hero in Kandahar province, July 1.

RC(S), which consists of Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, and Daykundi provinces, is the first region in Afghanistan to have Afghan forces take the lead in security operations.

ISAF has been heavily preparing the ANSF for this transition over the last few years by assisting in the creation and training of the Afghan army and police since their inception.

“It wasn’t that long ago that we had no security forces. We started from scratch and today we have everything,” said Maj. Gen. Abdul Hamid, commander of the 205th Hero Corps, Afghan National Army.

ANSF includes the Afghan National Army, Afghan Uniformed Police, Afghan Border Police, and Afghan National Civil Order Police.

“I assure that there is no doubt that the ANA is ready to be independent and we are ready for this moment right now,” said Hamid.

“This is a step that will be marked in history for the people of Afghanistan,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Huggins, 82nd Airborne Division and RC(S) commanding general, “We are ready for all of this because of all of you, because of the Afghan leadership.”

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