CTF 4-2 takes over for sister brigade in Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN

11.24.2012

Story by Sgt. Kimberly Hackbarth 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MASUM GHAR, Afghanistan – In front of local Afghan provincial government officials and the Regional Command-South command team, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division unfurled its unit colors and obtained command from its sister brigade, 3rd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., during a Transfer of Authority ceremony here, Nov. 24.

The brigade, now called Combined Task Force 4-2 for the duration of its nine-month deployment, will operate out of RC-South in southern Afghanistan.

In his speech, Col. Michael Getchell, commander of 4th SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., alluded to the two month-long Yakima Training Center, Wash., rotations and one month-long National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., rotation that the brigade accomplished in preparation for its first deployment to Afghanistan.

“In the 27 months that have elapsed since this Raider Brigade Combat Team’s completion of its last deployment, we’ve steadfastly readied ourselves for our next rendezvous through ruthless repetition of tasks under varying conditions to build expertise,” Getchell said.

Leaders and soldiers in the brigade will collaborate with their Afghan partners and continue the momentum their sister brigade started nearly one year ago.

“We have done duty with (Col. Charles Webster, the commander of 3rd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div.), now we want to start with Col. Getchell,” said Afghan Brig. Gen. Ahmed Habibi, the 1st Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army commander, through an interpreter. “We will work together to take out the enemy from Panjwa’i.”
After Webster and Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Murphy cased their brigade’s colors, Webster shared words of advice with the leaders who will now operate where he left off.

“As you uncase your colors and assume your mission of supporting our Afghan partners, remember we are all here for one reason and one reason only; to support the district and provincial governments and the Afghan Security Forces achieve this lasting peace and prosperity,” said Webster.

• Date Taken: 11.24.2012
• Date Posted: 11.27.2012 08:23
• Story ID: 98361
• Location: AF