Massachusetts Med. Det. assumes duties in southern Afghanistan

Photo By Maj. Charles Patterson | The 794th Preventative Medicine Detachment pose for their first unit photo after uncasing their colors Dec. 3, 2012, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The 794th has taken responsibility for providing Preventive Medicine care for more than 78 Forward Operating Bases located throughout Regional Command South and Regional Command West. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Antonio Namwong, TF MED-A Public Affairs / Released)  

AFGHANISTAN

01.02.2013

Courtesy Story

Task Force MED - Afghanistan

794th Preventive Medicine Detachment Transfer of Authority
Story and photo by Sgt. Antonio Namwong

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A ceremony was held Dec. 3, 2012, here, commemorating the transfer of authority from the 792nd Preventive Medicine Detachment based out of Lubbock, Texas and the 794th Preventive Medicine Detachment, based out of Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

The 794th has taken responsibility for providing Preventive Medicine care for more than 78 Forward Operating Bases located throughout Regional Command South and Regional Command West.

U.S. Army Maj. Carrie Monje, commander of the 792nd Med. Det. (PM), and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Hart, cased their unit’s guidon, and it will remain cased as the unit travels back to its home station in Lubbock, Texas.

U.S. Army Capt. Pratistha Bhandari, commander of the 794th Med. Det. (PM), and Staff Sgt. James Back, uncased their unit’s guidon symbolizing the beginning of their critical preventive medicine mission in support of Operating Enduring Freedom.

“I have the pleasure of commanding one of the most diverse and talented preventive medicine detachments in the Army,” Bhandari said. “We will provide all facets of preventive medicine support to include entomological, epidemiological, environmental engineering and occupational health support to minimize disease and non-battle injuries and other health threats to deployed forces in theater.”

U.S. Army Col. William Drennon, commander of Task Force 14 Medical (TF 14 MED), welcomed the 794th Med. Det. (PM) to the team and Afghanistan.

“Welcome, to the 794th PM Detachment, the ‘Lava Manus’ Team from Fort Devens, Massachusetts,” said Drennon. “Capt. Bhandari and Staff Sgt. Back, welcome to the ‘First to Care’ and ‘Victory Medics’ Team. You have an extremely important mission to accomplish over the next nine months. The 792nd has set the conditions for your success and I am confident that you are up to the task and that your team will excel in all facets.”

• Date Taken: 01.02.2013
• Date Posted: 01.02.2013 05:52
• Story ID: 99844
• Location: AF