BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – The Polish army’s 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade soldiers stood in formation and official ended their mission to Operation Enduring Freedom during a formal end-of-mission ceremony at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 4, 2014.
The ceremony was an official act to recognize the end of mission for the Polish army in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Their mission began in 2008, with soldiers of the 12th Polish Mechanized Division, and ended with soldiers of the 10th Polish Armored Cavalry Brigade. For more than six years, Polish soldiers of Task Force White Eagle have been patrolling the Ghazni province along with Afghan National Security Forces and coalition partners. At its peak, there were almost 3,000 Polish soldiers assigned to TF White Eagle.
“Many nations have contributed to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan over the past decade, but few have done more than Polish Task Force White Eagle,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-10 and 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). “They came as battle-space owners, without significant caveats and willing to fight. Their national leaders have consistently supported, and regularly visited, Task Force White Eagle. These White Eagle soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Brigade have fought, they have advised, they have assisted, and they backed up the ANSF. They trained, mentored, secured, supported … and they transferred coalition bases to the Afghans.”
During the ceremony, Townsend and Task Force White Eagle Commander Polish army Brig. Gen. Cezary Podlasinski recognized both U.S. and Polish troops with awards and certificates, symbolizing the six-year partnership between the two countries.
“Since the operation in Iraq, Polish and American Soldiers, supported each other in their struggle to achieve a common aim: to bring hope to the persecuted and helpless people and to create conditions for them to have a better future with freedom and democracy,” said Podlasinski. “In Afghanistan, especially during the first years of our mission, we benefited not only from the U.S. leadership and support, but also from the cooperation with the U.S. units. It helped us gain the necessary experience and confidence, which can be seen as pillars crucial for operating in such a difficult environment.”
The Polish army started their mission in Ghanzi with independent combat operations, transitioning to partnered operations and later conducting operations “over the shoulder.” Task Force White Eagle and their ANSF partners focused on the security of Ghazni City and the security of Highway 1, the major roadway between the cities of Kabul and Kandahar. Their focused efforts eliminated insurgent improvised explosive devices cells, cleared IEDs and reduced the number of enemy attacks along Highway 1, making travel on this important road safer for coalition Soldiers and, more importantly, safer for the Afghan people.
The Polish army recently relinquished their battle space in Ghazni, but they will continue their commitment to Afghanistan through Operation Resolute Support, that is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2015.
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2014 08:15 |
| Story ID: | 128860 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 649 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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