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TARIN KOT, Afghanistan – Five nations, along with district and provincial leaders, gathered to pay their respects to the outgoing commander of Combined Team Uruzgan, in a transfer of authority today.
Soldiers and civilians from Slovakia, Singapore, Australia, Afghanistan and the United States, were in attendance to see the transfer of authority as incoming commander, Col. Gerald Hadley, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Indiana Army National Guard, assumed the mission from Col. Bob Akam.
Akam leaves a legacy in the form of transition, seeing the Daykundi province handed over to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in December 2011, and the Uruzgan province moving closer to its own transition.
“The multi-national team in Tarin Kot, consisting of soldiers and civilians from five nations, worked in unity with a single focus of moving Uruzgan forward and closer to transition,” said Akam.
It was the combined effort and focus of the leadership and mentors that built a more resilient provincial government, creating strong communications networks from the district level to the central government.
Treating people with dignity and respect sets a standard which is passed down to the lowest level, said Akam. This has been an integral step in setting the conditions for transition.
These principals of leadership were noticeable throughout the ceremony as members of the provincial government re-emphasized the standards established by the CTU commander.
“Col. Akam brought coordination and cooperation between the district and provincial government,” said Omar Shirzad, Uruzgan provincial governor. “He knows the rules of law and follows it equally, expecting everyone to follow and understand.”
A significant event occurred during the ceremony, symbolizing the forward progression of the Uruzgan province, as Brig. Gen. Mohammed Zafar, commander of the 4th Brigade, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, passed the CTU colors from the outgoing to the incoming commander.
“The achievements of CTU were made through a crystal clear vision,” said Zafar. “This vision was dedicated to the transfer of authority.”
Hadley, who assumed command of the 76th Brigade on Feb. 6, 2011, looks to maintain a forward progression to transition, relying on the local leaders to do the same.
“From the day we stepped on the ground it was clear, that Combined Team Uruzgan and our Afghan partners are one team working for a common cause,” said Hadley.
It is the focus of the multi-national team that helped to build the foundation but it’s the local leaders who ultimately hold the future for the province.
“Governor Shirzad has an outstanding vision for the future of the people of Uruzgan,” said Hadley. “And he also has assembled a team that will help him accomplish it.”
Both Shirzad and Zafar said that the current and future focus of CTU and the local government, in a “shoulder to shoulder” style of business, will ultimately bring prosperity and peace to the Uruzgan province.
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2012 13:33 |
| Story ID: | 85450 |
| Location: | TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Web Views: | 720 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Change of command represents transition in Uruzgan province, by MAJ Lawrence Carmack, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
