Guardian gets new commander

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
Story by Sgt. James Wilt

Date: 11.16.2007
Posted: 11.16.2007 14:15
News ID: 13978
Guardian gets new commander

By Army Sgt. Jim Wilt, CJTF-82 Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Combined Joint Task Force-82's Task Force Guardian held a change of command ceremony.

In front of the TF Guardian service members, and in some cases their canine counterparts, Army Col. Charles A. Tennison replaced Army Col. James W. Gray as the commander of the military police task force in Afghanistan.

"Today we witnessed the passing of the colors and command of Task Force Guardian from Col. Jim Gray to Col. "T" Tennison," said Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, the CJTF-82 commander.

"The Guardians, under Jim, provided exceptional law and order, detainee and combat operations over the past year," Rodriguez said. "Jim Gray provided superb command leadership in every measurable area."

While the ceremony was held to recognize the change of leadership in the task force, the leaders gathered there focused on the service members who serve in the task force.

Within the next three months, the majority of service members, who make up Guardian, will be training replacements as they too move on from Afghanistan.

"The outgoing Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians of the task force have done a superb job working tirelessly both inside and outside the walls, waging a silent battle against the enemy," Gray said.

"As my time comes to a close on this trip, I'm gratified to know that Task Force Guardian has done its part in this noble campaign" Gray said. The Service members of TF Guardian have patrolled the roads here and helped train Afghan national security forces.

"This was not a 'gimme' mission by any stretch; responding to death scenes, indirect fire attacks, armed standoffs and the like," Gray said referring to the task force's law and order mission in the Bagram security zone.

"You've helped build capacity within the Afghan national army to establish a professional detention capability and you've provided the full spectrum of Military Police support throughout the theater and done so magnificently," he added.

Tennison said he feels confident in the ability of his newly acquired task force.

"I am extremely confident in the professional competence and total dedication of every member of the task force team to achieve mission success while continuing to improve our fighting position every day," he said.