BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - With Panjshir Governor, Haji Bahlol present, Col. Scott A. Spellmon, commander, Task Force Warrior, presided over the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team transfer of authority ceremony in the Panjshir valley, Afghanistan, July 19.
Outgoing PRT Commander, Army Lt. Col. Steve Lancaster and his team of Soldiers and Airmen were praised for their hard work and efforts over the past nine months.
Governor Bahlol thanked the PRT for their contributions, including roads, schools, clinics and water projects, all of which will impact and improve the lives of people in the province for many years to come.
Bahlol noted the contributions and sacrifices of U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Stratton, U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Blue Rowe, Senior Airman Ashton Goodman, and Afghan judge Abdul Samad, members of the outgoing team who were killed, May 26, after a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device against their convoy.
"The loss of teammates hurt," Spellmon said, praising Lancaster and his team for their response to adversity, focusing on and carrying out the development mission in Panjshir.
Spellmon thanked the outgoing Department of State PRT Director, Tom Kelsey, for his leadership over the past year.
Spellmon also welcomed the new PRT Commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Hommel.
"While the accomplishments of your predecessors have been significant and they leave behind big shoes to fill, there is no shortage of work to be done and we look forward to moving even further to the right on our governance and development lines of effort in the weeks and months ahead," Spellmon said.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2009 04:50 |
| Story ID: | 36602 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 111 |
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