KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - With the summer fighting season beginning, Task Force Warhawk officially assumed the mission of providing aviation capabilities to Train, Advise and Assist Command - South from Task Force Nightmare during a Transfer of Authority ceremony here, April 6.
TF Warhawk is led by the command team of 2nd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, and it is comprised of soldiers from 2-158th AHB, sister battalions from 16th CAB and the National Guard.
“It’s an honor to join this team in support of Operation Resolute Support and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel,” said Lt. Col. Robert Bryant, TF Warhawk commander. “We look forward to being a part in supporting our partners to enable conditions that lead to security and stability in Afghanistan.”
TF Warhawk takes over for TF Nightmare of 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. The command team of 3rd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment led TF Nightmare through the past seven months.
“This ceremony marks the completion of, if i had to pick one word, a ‘unique’ deployment,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Reynolds, TF Nightmare commander. “The southern region of Afghanistan has an incredibly high operational tempo.”
During their seven months in Afghanistan, TF Nightmare flew over 13,000 combat hours. They completed air assaults, reconnaissance and security missions and 40 medical evacuations.
“You have added to the storied legacy of the 1st Infantry Division, the Army’s oldest division, which is celebrating a century of service as brave, responsible and on point soldiers this year,” said Col. John Cyrulik, 1st CAB commander.
Cyrulik and Bryant shared the belief that TF Warhawk is ready to continue the successes of TF Nightmare.
“Both units have exceptional lineages, and are two of the most distinguished aviation units in our Army,” said Cyrulik. “We are fortunate to have such a talented unit follow TF Nightmare and support our teammates in what will undoubtedly be a very violent and difficult summer campaign.”
“We are committed to sustaining and building on the major working relationships established by TF Nightmare throughout the area of responsibility, and will continue to provide the first-rate aviation support that our ground forces deserve,” said Bryant.
Both TF Nightmare and TF Warhawk have formations that include partners from other Army installations and the National Guard.
“This team is truly the total Army force with units from Fort Riley, Fort Carson, Nebraska and Virginia all going together in the same direction,” said Reynolds.
Even as the ceremony was underway, helicopters could be seen and heard departing for and returning from missions in the area as TF Warhawk was already taking on difficult missions.
“It’s not about us, but the amazing ground forces that deserve nothing but our very best,” said Bryant. “Our task force is committed to providing the aviation support that you deserve to allow us to fight and win.”