Ceremony Marks Multinational Mentoring of Afghan Security Forces

Courtesy Photo | Dutch Col. Van Der Zee, commander of Dutch Police Training Group 2, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ryan Connelly, battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand together after exchanging farewell gifts April 24, 2012 at Forward Operating Base Kunduz, Kunduz province, Afghanistan. The 37th IBCT is deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force in order to build Afghan National Police capacity. (37th IBCT photo by 1st Lt. Brooke Murphy)  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN

04.24.2012

Courtesy Story

37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

by Maj. William Humes
37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, Afghanistan - Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Viking, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, hosted the Dutch Army members of Police Training Group 2 during a farewell ceremony April 24 on Forward Operating Base Kunduz.

The Dutch PTG is responsible for training and mentoring members of the Afghan security forces. As a result of their mentoring mission, they frequently cross paths with security force members and advisers from TF Viking. Close coordination is routinely conducted across the staffs of both units, leading to a strong working relationship.

The evening began with informal mingling among the soldiers of the Dutch PTG and TF Viking, where stories were shared from the experiences of the last few months. U.S. Army Maj. Raymond Stemitz, executive officer for TF Viking, served as master of ceremonies and kicked off the formal portion of the evening. The formal portion began with each of the TF Viking staff members
giving their Dutch counterparts a certificate of appreciation.

Following the presentations by TF Viking, the staff of the Dutch PTG reciprocated with their own letters of thanks. The Dutch presentations concluded with a flag stand holding the U.S. and Dutch flags being presented to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ryan Connelly, the battalion commander, from the Dutch PTG Commander, Col. Van Der Zee.

“Besides serving as continuity from the 2-18 (the unit TF Viking replaced) to the 1-125 infantry the Dutch PTG really helped us get up to speed on how to work within the NATO community,” said Stemitz.

Connelly also expressed gratitude during his remarks, “Our original mission was to come to Afghanistan and conduct combat operations alone, without direct NATO assistance. “Col. Van Der Zee and his staff took time to welcome us and assist us with understanding the police mission and how we could best support the mentoring of the Afghan Security Forces.”

The evening concluded with an introduction and welcoming of the incoming members of Dutch PTG 3, the soldiers replacing PTG 2. “The incoming PTG has some big shoes to fill and we are confident in developing a productive and professional relationship with the new Dutch Police Training Group,” said Connelly.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2012
• Date Posted: 05.03.2012 01:07
• Story ID: 87770
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, AF
• Hometown: FLINT, MICHIGAN, US