‘Hurricane’ season begins in the Horn of Africa

Photo By Staff Sgt. Aidana Baez | As the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, based out of Orlando, Florida, conclude their mission in the Horn of Africa and prepare to return home, the Soldiers of their sister battalion, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, based out of Miramar, Florida, assume responsibility of the security mission for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Army Lt. Col. Julio Acosta, commander of Task Force Hurricane, assumed responsibility of the security mission from Army Lt. Col. Jerry Glass, commander of Task Force Seminole, during a transfer of authority ceremony on May 31, 2016 on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.  

DJIBOUTI

06.01.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Aidana Baez 

53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - As the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Seminole, based out of Orlando, Florida, conclude their mission in the Horn of Africa and prepare to return home, the Soldiers of their sister battalion, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Hurricane, based out of Miramar, Florida, assumed responsibility for the security force mission as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

Army Lt. Col. Julio Acosta, commander of Task Force Hurricane, assumed responsibility for the security force mission from Army Lt. Col. Jerry Glass, commander of Task Force Seminole, during a transfer of authority ceremony on May 31, 2016 on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

Task Force Hurricane and Task Force Seminole are both member battalion-sized elements of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which is headquartered in Pinellas Park, Florida. Both battalions last mobilized in 2010 to Kuwait in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

The 124th Infantry Regiment proudly supports the residents of Florida in the finest traditions of the citizen-Soldier, said Navy Rear Adm. Trey Wheeler, deputy commander, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, as he addressed the Soldiers of Task Forces Hurricane and Seminole during the ceremony. When disaster strikes, the regiment drops everything to answer the call.

Together with four organic National Guard infantry companies, one forward support company and one cavalry troop, the task force received an active component company-sized unit when it assumed responsibility for the security force mission. The Bandit company, is part of the 3rd Infantry Division based out of Ft. Stewart, Georgia.

We represent multiple components of the army and we have proven that we are a stronger army when we work in partnership, said Acosta. The effort of the Combined Joint Task Force demonstrates the greatness that occurs when we work together.

Task Force Hurricane will operate within the area of operations for CJTF-HOA.

There are thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians whose lives depend on you, said Wheeler, originally from Cross City, Florida, as he addressed the Soldiers of Task Force Hurricane during the ceremony. You have an enormous responsibility; our collective success depends on Task Force Hurricane.

The Soldiers of Task Force Seminole assumed responsibility of the security force mission September 24, 2015 and have since had a long lasting impact on the region by professionally executing the security force mission in 10 different countries, as well as contributing to the training and readiness of over 2,000 African partner nation soldiers. Task Force Seminole also participated in the crisis response planning for U.S. Embassies across the region, while continuing to hone own readiness in preparation for the 2016 hurricane season.

It was impressive to see Task Force Seminole take advantage of every opportunity, said Wheeler. The task force flawlessly executed the Expert Infantry Badge test and participated in the French Desert Commando course solidifying bonds with our French allies.

18 Task Force Seminole Soldiers now have the distinction of wearing the Expert Infantryman Badge and over 100 Soldiers earned the Desert Commando Badge. 5th French Marines provided the training for the Desert Commando course.

We are grateful to the Soldiers of Task Force Seminole for their assistance and support while we conduct the relief in place process, said Acosta, a resident of Tampa, Florida. I am confident about our ability to conduct this mission in great part because of the foundation Task Force Seminole has left.

• Date Taken: 06.01.2016
• Date Posted: 06.03.2016 07:49
• Story ID: 199836
• Location: DJ
• Hometown: CROSS CITY, FL, US
• Hometown: MIRAMAR, FL, US
• Hometown: ORLANDO, FL, US
• Hometown: PINELLAS PARK, FL, US
• Hometown: ST. AUGUSTINE, FL, US
• Hometown: TAMPA, FL, US