Task Force Cash takes command of KFOR Aviation

Photo By Spc. Joshua Barnett | Lt. Col. Matthew A. McDermott, Task Force Cash commander, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Earnestine A. Judge, Task Force Cash command sergeant major, uncase their unit flag during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Sept. 1, 2012. National Guard soldiers from Arkansas, California, Hawaii and South Carolina replaced soldiers from New Jersey, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming in the ceremony. The outgoing units have been deployed to Kosovo for a year in support of NATO's Operation Joint Guardian, a peacekeeping mission to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all residents of Kosovo.  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

09.01.2012

Story by Spc. Joshua Barnett 

172nd Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — Multinational Battle Group East's (MNBG E) aviation unit, Task Force Talon, passed responsibility to Task Force Cash in a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Sept. 1, 2012.

“This ceremony not only marks the end of our deployment in Kosovo, but it marks the end of a journey that lasted two years for us,” said Lt. Col. William G. Watson, Task Force Talon commander, from the North Dakota National Guard. “We met in fall of 2010 at the joint assessment and I knew we had a good team right from the beginning.”

The outgoing task force was made up of Army National Guard soldiers from New Jersey, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. They have been deployed to Kosovo for a year in support of NATO's Operation Joint Guardian, a peacekeeping mission to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all residents of Kosovo.

“Our multinational battle group is quite unique,” said Col. Jeffrey J. Liethen, MNBG E commander, from the Wisconsin National Guard. “It consists of a diverse group of soldiers from nine nations, and each soldier brings special skills and capabilities to the battle group. Although we each come from different backgrounds, we share the same common goal of wanting to provide a peaceful and safe society for the people of Kosovo.”

Aviation duties for this mission have now been assumed by National Guard soldiers from Arkansas, California, Hawaii and South Carolina.

“Col. Watson and his team, thank you for the tremendous support that you have given us during the RIP process,” said Lt. Col. Matthew A. McDermott, Task Force Cash commander. “The things you have gone over with my team truly will set us up for success for our rotation.”

According to Liethen, Task Force Talon flew more than 2,800 accident-free hours during their year in Kosovo. They transported more than 2,600 passengers and 238 tons of supplies and equipment, completed 30 MEDEVAC missions and trained nearly 5,000 US and Multi-national soldiers on how to safely load and unload lift and MEDEVAC aircraft.

The incoming task force commander said that his soldiers will continue this exemplary service.

“We have a good team and we will succeed, no doubt,” said McDermott.

• Date Taken: 09.01.2012
• Date Posted: 09.04.2012 08:44
• Story ID: 94185
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ