Photo By Sgt. Dean Davis | Maj. Craig Wolfenbarger, officer in charge of the Georgian Liaison Team, partnered...... read more read more
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FOWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan – For the last six months, Georgian soldiers of the 31st Battalion have worked alongside Afghan National Army soldiers and U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan to eliminate the Taliban and bring security to the Afghan people.
During a ceremony Nov. 10, Marines and Afghan soldiers said farewell to the 31st, who helped bring about the changes Nimruz and Helmand provinces have seen, and welcomed Georgia’s 32nd Battalion to continue that mission.
“Throughout their areas of operation, the 31st made measureable progress in all lines of operation, improving security, shaping local populace perception, and furthering the development of Afghan National Security Forces and local governance,” said Marine Maj. Craig Wolfenbarger, officer in charge of the Georgian Liaison Team, partnered with the 31st Georgian Bn.
Over the course of their six months here, the 31st Bn., successfully integrated with Regimental Combat Team 2, and were employed in the same manner as a U.S. Marine battalion. They not only protected locals from the Taliban, but also worked to set the conditions for transferring their areas of operation to Afghan forces, explained Maj. Alexander Tugushi, commanding officer of the 31st.
“The Afghan National Army proved that their skills will be a foundation for providing peace to the Afghan people,” Tugushi said.
During their deployment, the 31st Georgians took part in eight major operations, and conducted more 1,000 patrols to connect with the community and root out Taliban fighters. They also provided humanitarian and medical aid to Afghan locals.
“The battalion coordinated with Afghan government officials to help improve the government’s outreach to the local people,” Tugushi said. “As part of the United Nations, we are here to support the International Security Assistance Force mission, and we are proud to have participated in operations alongside other coalition forces in Afghanistan.”
For all the successes, the unit had its setbacks too. Four Georgian soldiers lost their lives while serving here. But the battalion’s losses will not be carried alone, explained Col. Paul Kennedy, commanding officer of RCT-2.
"Through the close and personal interactions of this battalion, the Afghan’s have realized that they have new friends, friends that love freedom,” said Kennedy. “…
Friends who were willing to lay down their blood to ensure that freedom, who sacrificed much in order to provide a future for the Afghan people.
“These warriors from Georgia became family. They will never be forgotten by the Afghan people, or by the Marines.”
As the 32nd Bn., takes over, they will unite with the Marines and Afghan soldiers who came to know their countrymen over their time here.
“We are proud to see the Georgian flag flying alongside the other NATO members,” Tugushi said. “I know that the 32nd Battalion will succeed and accomplish all the missions given to them, and return home safely.”
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.11.2010 05:12 |
| Story ID: | 59889 |
| Location: | FOWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, AF |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Georgian soldiers hand over mission, help secure Afghanistan, by Sgt Dean Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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