Task Force Catamount makes way for Task Force Eagle

Photo By Daniel Rangel | Army Lt. Col. Michael R. Fenzel, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), prepares to display his battalion colors at the transfer of authority ceremony held, May 24, at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E.  

JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN

05.24.2007

Courtesy Story

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

By Army Pfc. Daniel M. Rangel
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan (26 May) - A new security force assumed its duties for Regional Command-East during a transfer of authority ceremony conducted May 24 at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E.

Army Lt. Col. Michael R. Fenzel, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), assumed command from Army Lt. Col. Chris R. Toner, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony attended by a formation of incoming and outgoing Soldiers.

"Our goals are to continue the work that team Catamount has done for the last 16 months, [making] Paktika province more stable so that the Afghan government and army can govern themselves," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Weik, 1-503 (Abn).

Task Force Catamount deployed to Afghanistan in February 2006 and conducted over 3400 combat patrols during an extended 16 month deployment. The battalion endured over 175 direct-fire engagements, 208 indirect-fire engagements, 168 improvised explosive device attacks and 14 suicide-bomber attacks.

The battalion's success has come with a price.

"We've had four Soldiers killed in action," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jose M. Vega, 2-87 Inf. Regt.

Vega expressed his appreciation to the local Afghans in supporting the battalion's mission.

"Our mission has always been to separate the enemy from the population," Vega said. "The people have been very receptive, very helpful."

TF Catamount has participated in a number of major operations during their deployment to include Operation Mountain Lion, Operation Mountain Thrust and Operation Cat Fury.

"All of us have accomplished so much together," Toner said. "We know this progress was not without a cost. We have lost four of our brother Catamounts and have 141 wounded and 106 of our brothers from the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police who were killed or wounded in this fight for freedom." The fight will continue, but it is now in the hands of the Soldiers of TF Eagle.

• Date Taken: 05.24.2007
• Date Posted: 05.30.2007 08:03
• Story ID: 10558
• Location: JALALABAD, AF