Courtesy Photo | Army Lt. Col. Richard Kaiser prepares the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion's...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Jaime D. Mial
Task Force Spartan Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan – The 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, bid farewell to Afghanistan, May 23, when it passed the torch to the 173rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion during a transfer of authority ceremony at the Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Nangarhar province.
"We're here today to say goodbye to the great Rick Kaiser (TF commander) and Task Force Vanguard and thank them for their service," said Army Col. John Nicholson, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. commander.
During their time in Afghanistan, the TF Vanguard Soldiers have completed more than 30,000 intelligence reports and they were responsible for the demise or capture of hundreds of enemy fighters, Nicholson said. They have also spent over $1 million on humanitarian aid and projects.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by their battalion commander.
"I can say with all confidence that the Vanguard battalion certainly has flowered in Afghanistan," said Army Lt. Col. Richard Kaiser, TF Vanguard commander.
Although the Vanguard Soldiers have called Afghanistan home for more than a year, they are ready to move on, going back to their home station of Fort Drum, N.Y. During the ceremony, their battalion colors were symbolically rolled up and covered for the trip back to the U.S.
Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, Task Force Talon commander, then unfurled TF Talon's colors, which officially signified the transfer of authority.
"We must all continue to work and strive for true and lasting peace in Afghanistan," Kaiser said. "Nangarhar is left in your hands. Jeff, good luck and Godspeed; Nangarhar and Afghanistan have a bright future."
Milhorn thanked the Spartans for their efforts while they were in Afghanistan and promised to carry on the tradition of impeccable dedication to the Afghan people. With its colors freshly unfurled and their Soldiers standing tall, ready for anything, TF Talon took the torch and prepared to run its leg of the race.
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2007 07:17 |
| Story ID: | 10555 |
| Location: | JALALABAD, AF |
| Web Views: | 363 |
| Downloads: | 327 |
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