LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – From its inception in the summer of 2009, every training event 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division leaders conducted had one result in mind: train soldiers to a standard of excellence for its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Hard work and training came to an end Oct. 16 as the first of the division’s units took the reins of authority in Afghanistan from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Patriot.
Patriot soldiers were tasked with the execution of a population centric, counterinsurgency operation, while also building Afghanistan National Security Forces capacity to create a stable environment for the transition of authority back to the Afghanistan government.
Now, Task Force Bulldog troops, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas, will take the development of the ANSF and counter insurgency operations and build on the foundation of the Patriot brigade.
“Today we welcome the dedicated soldiers of Task Force Bulldog, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, hailing from Fort Bliss, Texas,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, commander, Combined Joint Task Force-1 and Regional Command - East. “At the helm of these superbly trained soldiers, non-commissioned officers, officers and a darn well fighting spirit is the Bulldog command team of Col. Mark Landes and Command Sergeant Major Richard Capps.”
“I know you and your magnificent warriors are firmly settled in the saddle of responsibility and you are ready to sustain the momentum of this fight built upon the Patriot legacy,” said Allyn.
“Mark Landes has been my friend for more than 10 years,” said Col. Bruce Antonia, commander, Task Force Patriot “I know him and I know he will attack our enemies and protect our friends with the fervor expected out of a man of his caliber.”
Bulldog soldiers have undergone squad and platoon live-fire training events for the past two years. The unit underwent three complex brigade-level field training exercises that included everything from basic soldier skills to complex counter insurgency training events utilizing the desert terrain and mountains of southwest Texas and New Mexico.
They sought out training events to prepare them for this deployment. Utilizing an improved language training curriculum to become familiar with both Pashtu and Dari, incorporating both long range high and low angle marksmanship into infantry training, and undergoing unique, medical hands-on training at every level in the brigade.
“For my Bulldog brigade, it is with great satisfaction that we unfurl the colors here in Afghanistan,” said Landes. “The last two years of hard work and training have resulted in this brigade being deployed into the battle space ready to join our brothers, our coalition partners, and our Afghan teammates in their conflict.”
“This is the first time the 1st Armored Division has been deployed to Afghanistan and it is our job to represent it by completing our mission and taking care of our brothers,” said Landes. “To our new friends – our partners in the government – the Afghan Army and police, I promise you we will be just like the Bulldog that represents this brigade, no one more loyal or friendly to its friends and no one more ferocious in the fight with our enemies.”
| Date Taken: |
10.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
10.17.2011 22:49 |
| Story ID: |
78638 |
| Location: |
LOGAR PROVINCE, AF |
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