Photo By Jon Arguello | Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, stand by their 155mm...... read more read more
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Paratroopers with 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, assumed control of artillery support and other responsibilities from the 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, in eastern Afghanistan, May 28.
"The Soldiers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and officers of 4-25th Field Artillery are true American heroes," said Army Lt. Col. Stephen J. Maranian. "They are a professional organization that has proven their mettle in combat and who have excelled both as artillerymen and in their role as a maneuver task force. As part of 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, the 4-25th Field Artillery Regiment has established an artillery footprint that postures the 173rd [Airborne Brigade Combat Team] for future operations in the [Task Force Bayonet] area of control."
The relief-in-place was a seamless, effective and efficient process, said Army Maj. Eric Zenk, spokesman for the outgoing Task Force Spartan.
The accomplishments of the outgoing 4-25th FAR were many and the paratroopers would continue to build on their success, said Maranian.
"As the tactical situation evolves and the 173rd builds on 3rd BCT's success, we will continue to position artillery in our area of operations to support our maneuver elements," Maranian said. "Within western Nuristan, the 4-25th Field Artillery Regiment did an outstanding job of interacting with the local populace. It is critical that we continue to capitalize on the relationships that they have built with the Afghan leaders in our battalion's areas of operation, separate the enemy from the populace, and assist the government in the western districts of Nuristan in their endeavors to provide security for their citizens."
The 3rd Brigade "Spartans" are extremely proud of the work the 4-25th has done, said Zenk.
"Our artillerymen have done tremendous work," Zenk said. "They have been asked to deliver accurate and timely rounds down range and they have excelled. They have been asked to act as a maneuver element and defeat the enemy and they have done that. They have been asked to build relationships with the Afghans in their areas of operation and they built the foundation which will allow the incoming Sky Soldiers and Afghan authorities the ability to establish the security Afghans need to successfully develop their nation. We couldn't be prouder."
The Sky Soldiers of the 173rd BCT (Airborne), or Task Force Bayonet, led the charge in Afghanistan's Regional Command South in 2005 and 2006 during a highly kinetic, yet successful year. During their last rotation, the brigade was credited with multiple victories on both the tactical and development fronts.
"The key to success for our battalion is two-fold," Maranian explained. "As Redlegs, the safe, accurate and timely delivery of artillery fires in support of troops in contact is paramount. As a maneuver task force, we hope to assist the Afghan government to provide a safe and secure environment for the people in western Nuristan. We hope to build people's trust and confidence in not only local governance, but also the leaders of the [Islamic Republic of Afghanistan], and we want to facilitate reconstruction, development and economic growth through out eastern Afghanistan. In doing this we hope that we can replace fear and uncertainty with trust and confidence. Lastly, we want to ensure that we do everything within our power to ensure that all King of the Herd paratroopers return home safely to their loved ones."
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2007 08:36 |
| Story ID: | 10739 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 365 |
| Downloads: | 303 |
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