Gen. Vollmer takes command of Regional Command North

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.11.2009

Courtesy Story

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

From the International Security Assistance Force

KABUL, Afghanistan - Brig. Gen. Juergen Weigt relinquished command of Regional Command North to Brig. Gen. Joerg Vollmer during a change of command ceremony in Mazar-e-Sharif, Jan. 10.

"Today I will hand over the command of almost 4,500 outstanding soldiers," said Weigt, during his speech. "I had the opportunity to serve in Northern Afghanistan for more than six months and during this period I have become highly attached to the Afghan population."

During Weigt's command, he has been responsible for training the Afghan national army, especially the build up of the 2nd Brigade of 209th Corps, as well as the Afghan national police.

"Today I will leave this country convinced that things are looking up," he said. "I trust the establishment of governance legitimated by the Afghan people. Only a legally elected government is the precondition for continued international assistance."

Vollmer entered the military in 1978 and just recently finished a tour as the commander of Armored Infantry Brigade 32.

"Gen. Vollmer, I know that you meet all the requirements to take on these tasks and you are well prepared for the mission," said Weigt, a native of Ochtendung, Germany. "I wish you the best and I am confident you will succeed in accomplishing this demanding mission.

"As the new commander of RC North, I am pleased to take over from my predecessor today. I will make my contribution to the establishment of security in this part of Afghanistan. I am going to take over [the work of my predecessor] at the very point, where [he left off]," Vollmer said, a native of Bremen, Germany.

"I am grateful to my predecessor for passing his experience to me, and I will do my best to live up to the expectation entrusted to me," he added.

• Date Taken: 01.11.2009
• Date Posted: 01.11.2009 03:54
• Story ID: 28708
• Location: KABUL, AF