U.S. Army’s only forward-stationed multi-component Air Defense Task Force.

Photo By Capt. Adan Cazarez | Governor of Guam Lou Leon Guerrero delivers her remarks during a Transfer of Authority ceremony in Guam, Feb. 4, 2019. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, will provide Security Forces operations to Task Force Talon. Task Force Talon is the first permanently forward-stationed THAAD battery providing Tactical Ballistic Missile defense for the U.S. territory of Guam. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Adan Cazarez)  

GUAM

02.04.2019

Story by Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley 

94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Yigo, Guam. – Soldiers from the Guam Army National Guard’s 1-294th Infantry Regiment’s Task Force Guahan, and Soldiers from, 17th Combat Service Support Battalion’s Task Force Wolf participated in a transfer of authority ceremony on Feb. 4, 2019, at the Guam National Guard Readiness Center.

Task Force Guahan officially took over the mission from Task Force Wolf to provide security operations in support of Task Force Talon who is responsible for operating the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on Guam.

In attendance for the historical ceremony was the Guam Governor Leon Guerrero, who also serves as the Commander-In-Chief of the Guam Guard to recognize the outgoing unit for their support of the defense of Guam and welcome the incoming unit.

First, I want to thank the service members of Task Force Wolf from Alaska and your families back home for being here, said Guerrero.The people of Guam and I are grateful for the patience of your families and of course for the dedication you have given to our nation and our island.

Task Force Wolf assumed the Defense of Guam mission in January 2018 and has excelled during their tenure. The dedication and professional excellence of Task Force Wolf has left a lasting impression on Guam and Task Force Guahan is set to pick up the torch and continue to blaze the trail to excellence, Guerrero added.

Over the years the security mission to support Task Force Talon has been provided by rotating units from the Army and active component. In August 2018, the Guam National Guard received a Department of the Army Activation Order to provide Security Forces to Task Force Talon on Anderson Air Force Base.

For the first time the Guam Army National Guard will be securing and protecting Task Force Talon, a critical asset in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Regional Homeland Defense mission. The THAAD is critical to the protection of Guam and residents and United States military bases on Guam from any ballistic missile threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

Since 2013, Task Force Talon has cultivated a strong and lasting relationship with the Guam Army National Guard. The addition of the Soldiers from Task Force Guahan into Task Force Talon demonstrates the U.S. Army Pacific commitment to having a globally responsive and regionally engaged Army.

Recently, Task Force Wolf and Task Force Guahan have been working together in lieu of the transfer of authority, to learn from one another and to prepare for the many tasks that lie ahead. For the past few weeks both task forces have worked together hand in hand to ensure a smooth and successful transfer of authority, said Guerrero. Your exemplary work is an example of how our people can work in unity with our Federal Government to promote peace and prosperity in our region.

Lt. Col. Jon Castro, the commander of Task Force Talon at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, shared words on the historical significance of the event.

Today's ceremony is historically significant in a number of ways. First and foremost, this occasion stands as an official handover at one of our Nation's most vital, strategic locations, said Castro.

Second, the activation and deployment of the Guam Army National Guard on its home soil and finally, this marks the first time the Task Force Talon security mission transition between an Active Army and Army National Guard units, he added.

For the Soldiers of Task Force Talon and Task Force Guahan this transfer of authority symbolize more than just a transfer of mission.

Today, Team Talon starts a new chapter as the Army's only forward-stationed multi-component Air Defense Task Force, said Castro.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2019
• Date Posted: 02.05.2019 17:20
• Story ID: 309627
• Location: GU