KANDAHAR, Afghanistan –A Transfer of Authority ceremony was held on Kandahar Air Field Aug. 18 signifying the end of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division’s 12 month deployment and the beginning of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s mission in the heart of Regional Command South, Kandahar City.
During its 12 months in Afghanistan, Task Force Fury continued to establish a strong partnership with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army in order to provide security and stability to the Afghan population.
“The relationships forged under fire with our Afghan partners have been significant and life lasting,” said Lt. Col. Brian M. Drinkwine, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Regiment. “We have seen them grow to a more capable and confident Army and Police, who have earned the trust of their fellow Afghans and who the Taliban fear.”
“To those Afghan commanders and senior non-commissioned officers of the units we have had the great privilege of working with, it has been our honor to serve alongside you every day,” said Drinkwine.
In the last year TF Fury operated battle space in nine provinces of Regional Commands South and West, covering a geographic area half the size of Texas. They completed 247 projects throughout those areas, including developing the Police Training Center and a new Police Headquarters in Zabul province.
They assisted the people of Afghanistan by building schools, providing medical outreach programs to remote villages, digging 201 local wells to provide citizens with clean water, repairing essential bridges to help commercial traffic reach Kandahar City, and by providing electricity to the city of Farah.
“In little groups of paratroopers with our Afghan National Security Force partners we conducted over 1,500 leader engagements (or 3,000 cups of tea) and countless Shuras and community visits,” said Drinkwine. “Irreversible gains were made through the obligation of over 70 million U.S. dollars that helped improve the quality of life here in Afghanistan.”
In his parting remarks, Drinkwine expressed his hope for TF Raider. “The Raider Brigade is going to be a magnificent partner and undoubtedly will achieve even greater successes in the months ahead,” he said.
After the ‘Raider’ colors were uncased, Col. Jeffrey R. Martindale, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, addressed the attendees.
Task Force Raider, in partnership with the Combined Team Kandahar City and the Afghan National Security Forces, will conduct counter insurgency operations in order to secure key infrastructure and control the city of Kandahar creating a secure environment by, with and through our Afghan partners, he said.
Our goal is to shape support for local and eventually national governance in the Kandahar province, said Martindale.
“The Raider Brigade has spent the last year preparing for this moment,” said Martindale. “We are trained and ready for the task at hand and, like the Fury Task Force, we are here to win.”
“We look forward to working side-by-side with our partners to continue to turn the tide here in Kandahar as part of the main effort in this war,” he said.
| Date Taken: |
08.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
08.20.2010 04:15 |
| Story ID: |
54886 |
| Location: |
KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: |
701 |
| Downloads: |
7 |
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This work, ‘Raider’ Brigade begins operations in Afghanistan, by SGT Breanne Pye, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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