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In French forward operating bases across Regional Command-East, small ceremonies were held in the morning to celebrate. This day was also chosen by the outgoing French Foreign Legion Task Force Altor and the incoming infantry Task Force Bison for their transfer-of-authority ceremony held on FOB Tora in Kabul Province.
“It is an honor for our TOA ceremony to fall on La Fête Nationale,” said French Army Col. Eric Bellot des Minières, commander of Task Force Altor. "I can’t help but think of the soldiers we have lost during our tour and the sacrifice they made to help make Afghanistan a better country.”
French Brig. Gen. Pierre Chavancy, commander of Task Force Lafayette, headquarters for the French forces in RC-East, handed over authority from TF Altor to TF Bison during the ceremony.
“Task Force Altor has completed a difficult mission here and can go home with a sense of pride,” Chavancy said. “Task Force Bison has a rough road ahead in continuing the mission in RC-East, but there is no other task force more prepared to take on the challenge.”
The ceremony was broadcast throughout France in coordination with the military parade.
“This was the first time we’ve been able to link our troops in Afghanistan with all of France during La Fête Nationale,” said French Army Lt. Col. Pierre-Yves Sarzaud, communication advisor for all French forces in Afghanistan. “The soldiers were proud to be seen in France and were well received by people attending the parade.”
The Combined Joint Task Force-101 Commander for RC-East, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Campbell also attended the TOA ceremony.
“I’m very honored to be here on this special day for the French people and I’m particularly proud to be celebrating with the French soldiers,” Campbell said. “While I’m not French, I can certainly appreciate what Bastille Day means to the soldiers serving with us in Afghanistan. I’m very proud of the work the French have done in Kapisa and the Surobi District of Kabul province. The situation in the district has improved significantly over the past couple of years and it is in no doubt due in part to the sacrifices made by the French military who serve here.”
This is a critical time for all International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan and this will be a very crucial six-month deployment for Task Force Bison, as ISAF partners have started putting deadlines on their support for Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.15.2010 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 52890 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 384 |
| Downloads: | 195 |
This work, French conduct TOA ceremony on Bastille Day, by SGT Scott Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
