KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Task Force Light Guard, a battalion-sized element under TF-Resolute, 7th Sustainment Brigade, transferred authority to TF-Raven, which is comprised of soldiers assigned to the 1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, during a ceremony held on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 24.
Light Guard warriors, from the 1225th CSSB, have been deployed to KAF in support of Operation Enduring Freedom following mobilization in October 2010.
“I have the highest respect for the job that the 1225th CSSB has performed,” shared Lt. Col. K. Weedon Gallagher, commander of TF- Raven.
The mission of TF-Light Guard was to provide sustainment operations for Regional Commands South, South-West, and West during one of the largest uplifts of cargo, equipment, and forces into Afghanistan. They sustained the synchronization of all commodities flowing into and out of KAF in support of every combat arms unit across the South, South-West, and West Regional Commands of Afghanistan covering all classes of supply through command and control of all logistical nodes and unit level support operations within KAF.
While deployed to Afghanistan, the 1225th CSSB accomplished much. They planned and executed more than 500 successful combat logistics convoys, traveling over 1.5 road million miles, assisted 15 brigade combat team, issued over 168,000 cases of meals ready to eat and 2.25 million cases of water in support of more than 40,000 service members, and issued 46 million pounds of ammunition.
In addition to their sustainment operations mission, the 1225th CSSB also partnered with Afghan National Security Forces. As a key step in preparing the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police to assume full responsibility for the security and stability of Afghanistan and the ultimate withdrawal of the coalition forces, was the 1225th CSSB’s partnership and mentoring mission with the 205th Combat Logistics Kandak, a new battalion-sized ANA element tasked to support 6,000 ANSF personnel in Regional Command South, in order to develop ANA and ANP logistics capability.
Another important part of Light Guard’s mission was the oversight of massive infrastructure development on KAD. Soldiers from the 1225th performed contracting officer representative duties for 36 contracts, totaling in excess of $12 million.
“I am very proud of our TF-Light Guard soldiers. Without them, we would not have been able to complete our mission,” said Lt. Col. Kelly McNeil, commander of TF-Light Guard.
The 1225th CSSB (TF-Light Guard) soldiers will be returning to their National Guard home station in Detroit, Mich., this month.
The 1297th CSSB (TF-Raven) soldiers, a Maryland National Guard unit, has assumed the duties and responsibilities of TF- Light Guard, and are focused on mission accomplishment.
“Based on the success of the previous battalion, I have full confidence in my company commanders, gun truck teams, and the entire element to perform our mission with success and professionalism,” said Gallagher.