KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Alaska-based paratroopers formally took over operations in a transfer of authority ceremony here Dec. 24.
The 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Spartan Steel, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, assumed responsibility of security and training operations in the province from the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, Task Force Centaur, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke.
Spartan Steel joins the rest of the 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Inf. Div. in assuming responsibility of Khowst and Paktya Provinces in Regional Command-East.
The outgoing commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. James Vizzard, a native of Virginia Beach, Va., bid farewell to Afghanistan as another chapter closed in the unit’s illustrious history. The regiment was originally stood up in 1798 at Fort Jay, N.Y.
“It has been the greatest honor of my military career as I lead the Centaurs as they defended the people of Khowst, Paktia and Gaza,” said Vizzard in his closing speech. He added that as the unit leaves Afghanistan, it leaves with an enormous sense of pride in their accomplishment of building a strong security force for the Afghan people.
The incoming commander expressed his eagerness to work alongside the Afghanistan National Security Force.
“On behalf of Task Force Steel, we are honored to return to Afghanistan to insert alongside our ANSF partners and the great people of Afghanistan,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Frank Stanco, 2nd Bn. 377th PFAR commander, who hails from York, Pa.
The changing of responsibility also brought mixed feelings for the outgoing Centaurs.
“It’s sad to leave, but it’s time to go. It’s been a hard fought, long year, said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Cave, 1st Bn. 6th FA Regt., from Allendale, S.C. “It’s been a great tour and it’s time to return home.”
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Cedric Moore of TF Spartan Steel and a native of Huntsville, Ala., said this is his first tour in Afghanistan. He considers it a privilege to represent the United States Army.
“It’s pretty powerful and extremely humbling and I’m looking forward to representing our nation and our Army honorably,” said Moore.
| Date Taken: |
12.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
12.26.2011 08:47 |
| Story ID: |
81768 |
| Location: |
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, AF |
| Web Views: |
479 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
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This work, Spartan Steel assumes responsibility from Centaurs, by CPT Eric-James Estrada, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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