Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alexander Burnett | Sgt. Tray Davis, a Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Resolute human resources...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - In a large, crowded tent on a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan, so many service members gather with one goal. Before the massive crowd, on the day of their nation’s birth, a senior U.S. Army officer takes the stage and brings them to attention. The formation stands as a final order is given to raise their right hands.
Thirty-six Task Force Resolute soldiers reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S. Army during a re-enlistment ceremony on Kandahar Airfield, July 4.
The "Resolute" warriors stood in a formation of 235 service members from the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army in what was named "Operation Red, White, and True." The re-enlisting officer for the ceremony was Gen. David Petraeus, the International Security Assistance Force commanding general. Before giving the Oath of Re-enlistment, he gave all those in attendance several words of encouragement.
“These two-hundred-thirty-five soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines preparing to take this oath are showing the highest level of dedication to our nation,” said Petraeus. “You are dedicating yourself to continue being a member of what is regarded as the best military in the world.”
After the oath of re-enlistment, each service member was invited to take a photo with Petraeus, receive the ISAF coin and a custom coin for the ceremony, and receive a signed certificate. "Operation Red, White, and True" held special significance as it is the last re-enlistment ceremony Petraeus will host before retiring from the Army. It is also the last 4th of July he will spend deployed as a soldier.
“There is nowhere in the world I would rather be this Fourth of July than right here with these service members,” said Petraeus. “To all those who re-enlisted today and will enlist in the future, we express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you.”
After completing the ceremony on KAF, Patraeus immediately caught a flight to perform another re-enlistment at Bagram Air Field, completing Operation Red, White and True.
The service members in attendance also expressed their feelings on the ceremony and the timing.
“This is a moment in history,” said Sgt. Melissa Gillespie, a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, TF-Resolute orderly room noncommissioned officer. “It’s wonderful that Gen. Petraeus came here to share this moment with us.”
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.04.2011 08:16 |
| Story ID: | 73202 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 386 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, TF-Resolute soldiers re-enlist to celebrate Independence Day, by SGM Alexander Burnett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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