Photo By Adam Holguin | Soldiers from Detachment 82, Security Forces Advisory Assistance Team, 80th Training...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas--Detachment 82, Security Forces Advisory Assistance Team, 80th Training Command, a U.S. Army Reserve unit out of Richmond, Virginia, completed the demobilization process with the Mobilization and Deployment branch of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security after returning from a mission in Afghanistan Nov. 9. The unit departed Fort Bliss for their respective home of records Nov. 20.
Detachment 82 is comprised of 16 Soldiers from 10 different states that first met each other only a few months prior to their Jan. 18 mobilization.
“It was interesting; we first met in Oct. 2013. We went to Richmond, Virginia, to our parent unit, the 80th Division. We met for a week there and then we all met in Fort Knox [Kentucky] in November for 22 days of training,” said Lt. Col. Dominick M Versace, detachment commander, Det. 82, SFAAT, 80th Training Div.
While in Afghanistan, Det. 82 completed over 100 missions outside the wire, including three air insertions out to the Turkmenistan border. Det. 82 spent the majority of their deployment in Herat, Afghanistan, on a training and mentoring mission with the Afghan Border Police as part of the International Security Assistance Force. The Transfer of authority from ISAF to the Afghan National Security Forces will be completed by the end of the year.
“[We provided] mentoring and training when necessary; but mostly we provided oversight to them on what the Afghan Border Police did at a brigade level. Training in how they conducted themselves police-wise, logistical and staff training,” said Versace.
Versace was proud of the job that Det. 82 did while in Afghanistan and was also impressed with the ABP.
“Working with the Afghan Border Police, they are extremely professional, probably some of the better we’ve seen in the ANSF. And they definitely care about the future of Afghanistan,” said Versace.
Maj. Gen. A.C. Roper, commander, 80th Training Command, met Det. 82 at Fort Bliss while the unit completed the demobilization process. Det. 82 had ate at Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Fabens, Texas, Nov. 15, to break bread and receive awards they earned on the deployment.
“Maj. Gen A. C. Roper came down and met with the men and the men were able to talk to him, answer questions, get to know him,” said Versace.
Roper presented various members of the unit with Bronze Star Medals and Meritorious Service Medals.
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Versace presented Roper with an American flag that was flown in Afghanistan during the unit’s deployment.
| Date Taken: | 12.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2014 18:31 |
| Story ID: | 149864 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | RICHMOND, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 394 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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