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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan— Third Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion turned over responsibilities to 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, in a transfer of authority ceremony here, Sept. 16.
Third LAAD Bn. has been deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, for approximately seven months providing air defense and ground security for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force here. Those duties will now fall on the shoulders of the Marines of 3rd Bn., 25th Marines.
This was the fourth base-defense mission Marines from 3rd LAAD Bn. completed, and many wanted to congratulate them on their superior performance.
“You’ve covered over 1,300 combat patrols, 35,000 vehicles have been searched and processed, you’ve confiscated illegal weapons and drugs, you’ve built schools (and) delivered supplies,” said U.K. Brig. George Norton, deputy commander, Regional Command Southwest. “I want to thank you and congratulate you for what you have achieved.”
Marines of 3rd LAAD Bn. also conducted more than 60 training sessions with the Afghan National Army Shorabak Garrison Support Unit here as well as conducting more than 125 joint patrols with the Afghan National Army.
In addition to providing base security, 3rd LAAD Bn. also worked closely with the Joint Service Academy Southwest, and the Afghan National Police recruits attending the course there, teaching more than 300 ANP recruits personnel searches and patrolling techniques.
Third LAAD Bn. and their coalition partners worked diligently to make this camp as difficult to access while simultaneously making it a safe place for the service members to carry out their work.
“During the time (3rd LAAD Bn) have been here providing security for this camp (many) other camps and forward operating bases have been hit,” said Col. Lori Reynolds, commander, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence or they just haven’t gotten to us yet. I think that they have made this camp a hard target.”
Marines of 3rd Bn., 25th Marines, will take on the challenge of maintaining the bases security while working with the Afghan National Security Forces so they can continue to develop and take over security for their country.
“There is no question that (3rd LAAD Bn.) has set us up for success and no question that they have set the bar extremely high,” said Lt. Col. Lawrence J. Kaifesh, commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 25th Marines. “Marines with 3rd Bn., 25th Marines, you have a tough mission in a tough location, and a high standard to live up to. I ask each and every one of you to, find a way or make one.”
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2010 04:27 |
| Story ID: | 56454 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 1,361 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, 3rd LAAD transfers authority to 3/25, by Sgt Shawn Coolman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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