CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – The 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Dakota Army National Guard, assumed command of the Kabul Base Cluster from the 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard, during a transfer of authority ceremony June 26 at Camp Phoenix in Kabul.
The Soldiers of the 196th as Task Force Rushmore will support more than 9,000 U.S. and coalition forces stationed throughout 11 bases in the capital of Kabul. The Sioux Falls based unit will provide installation management and support for daily operations on the bases.
“We brought the best South Dakota has to offer,” said Brig. Gen. Theodore Johnson, Task Force Rushmore commander, during the ceremony. “We brought engineers, artillerymen, logisticians, military police and more. These citizen-Soldiers bring more to the fight than a [military occupational specialty]. They bring experience in state and local government, public safety, engineering, finance, customer service and so on.”
“The 38th has established a great foundation for us to work with and I feel we are ready to carry on with the mission and take it to the next level to keep improving the standards across all of the Kabul Base Cluster,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Darwin Rahder, Task Force Rushmore command sergeant major.
Brig. Gen. Lonnie Culver, commander of the 38th ID’s Task Force Cyclone, said in his speech during the ceremony, “To Brig. Gen. Johnson and Task Force Rushmore, you have a great unit. Your staff immediately teamed up with us on their arrival. They have asked questions, listened to briefs, took notes, and have a firm grasp of the Kabul Base Cluster mission. I know you will have great success here and I wish you and your team the very best.”
After spending a year of training for the mobilization at home station and at Fort Hood, the 196th arrived in Afghanistan in mid-June to begin their long-awaited deployment.
Training for the mission didn’t stop at Fort Hood. Since arriving at Camp Phoenix, the unit’s transition process has included improvised explosive device training, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle training, and conducting the mission hand-off with the 38th, where the Soldiers learned the jobs that they will be doing for the next year.
“I feel comfortable with all the training the unit has received prior to arriving to Afghanistan,” said Rahder. “All the training we have received, beginning right after getting notified of the deployment more than a year ago through the left-seat, right-seat process, has been very pertinent to the mission here.”
While in Afghanistan, Task Force Rushmore will continue to improve the standard of the Kabul Base Cluster. Soldiers of the 196th will play a vital role in security, force protection, infrastructure management, public works, resource management and logistic sustainment. The members of the 196th have brought a wealth of knowledge with them because of experiences in their civilian jobs, as well as, the training they have received from the Army.
“As the 38th departs, I feel confident the 196th is ready for its mission to command and control Camp Phoenix and other camps in the Kabul Base Cluster area,” said Rahder. “The 196th is fortunate to have a great set of motivated troops, who are ready to tackle the mission.”
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2010 04:31 |
| Story ID: | 52056 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 648 |
| Downloads: | 192 |
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