1 BCT Transfers Authority to 170 IBCT

CAMP MIKE SPANN, AFGHANISTAN

03.07.2011

Story by Sgt. Blair Neelands 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan – First Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division handed over responsibility for their area of operation in northern Afghanistan to 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a transfer of authority ceremony March 7 at Camp Mike Spann in Mazar-e-Sharif.

The ceremony included Col. Bill Burleson and Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Defreese casing the 1st BCT colors to mark the end of a 12-month deployment, while Col. Patrick Matlock and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston uncased the 170th colors to symbolize the unit’s readiness to conduct training and joint-operations with the Afghan National Security Forces in the Faryab, Balkh, Kunduz and Baghlan provinces.

“For the past 12 months, our goal has been to support Afghan security forces so that they can provide security for their country,” Burleson said during his speech. “I am proud of what Afghan and International Security Assistance Forces have accomplished over the last year.”

First BCT trained thousands of Afghan Uniform Police and Afghan National Border Police through multiple programs over the year-long deployment. The soldiers of the brigade also worked side-by-side with the ANSF to clear many areas throughout the North of insurgents.

“Many places are now safe and secure for the people of Afghanistan to live, work and flourish,” Burleson said. “In a series of operations, the security forces of combined team north have taken an unrelenting fight to the enemy and have denied insurgents areas of safety.”

The Warrior Brigade arrived in northern Afghanistan in March of 2010 with the mission of training and partnering with the ANSF, but over the year friendships were built.

“Equally important as security gains that have been achieved are the friendships developed over the past year,” Burleson said. “These relationships, and the resulting trust, will shape the lives of all our soldiers and Police.”

Burleson concluded his speech by thanking the local leadership from the ANSF and the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

“In the next few days, the soldiers of 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division will return to the United States,” he said. “The 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team comes in highly trained and well led, they replace us without interrupting the steady progress underway. They will carry on this mission and perform exceptionally.”

Upon completion of 1st Brigade’s mission in northern Afghanistan, Burleson and the remainder of the brigade will redeploy to Fort Drum with celebration and families awaiting their arrival.

• Date Taken: 03.07.2011
• Date Posted: 03.07.2011 05:01
• Story ID: 66612
• Location: CAMP MIKE SPANN, AF