CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan – With only days remaining prior to their redeployment, the soldiers of 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment were posed a question by Regional Command North Commander German Maj. Gen. Jorg Vollmer.
“What have you achieved here?” Vollmer asked to open his address during the Jan. 15 transfer of authority ceremony from 6/4 Cavalry to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment.
“You can truly tell the story that the enemy has not been successful. The Afghans have taken responsibility and they have achieved success,” Volmer said. “This is the story: the Afghan people are grateful. You achieved something that helps the Afghan people move forward.”
The Fort Knox-based unit served approximately nine months in Afghanistan during a period of massive transformation.
The Afghan National Army for the first time since the start of this war in 2001 took the lead in the struggle against a stubborn and determined foe. Rather than leading the fight, the Kentucky-based soldiers focused on three distinct missions.
First, it was integral in the retrograde of equipment that allowed for the closure of two major forward operating bases here in the north.
Soldiers involved in the closing of FOB Kunduz reflected with pride on their service as the last Americans in a volatile stretch of Afghanistan where the war commenced more than a decade ago.
Thanks to the pitched efforts of the coalition staving off a resurgent insurgency around Kunduz over the past few years, the troops were able to close the base without major incident.
Second, the soldiers devoted thousands of hours to transferring their knowledge to their Afghan counterparts.
Lt. Col. Michael T. Zernickow tallied 130 training missions during their deployment. That included firing more than 400,000 rounds and a culminating mortar live fire event.
“We are leaving a stronger, more capable force to protect the people of Afghanistan,” Zernickow said.
Vollmer echoed that sentiment.
“It’s their country, it’s their responsibility and it’s their fight. We are trying to give them the best tools to take control of their future,” he said.
Finally, the troops served in a constant state of readiness to support the Afghan National Army.
Their success in this support role, coupled with similar work conducted by combat units serving across this Texas-sized country in 2013, set the conditions for the Afghan leadership to sign off on a continued coalition presence.
“The Loyal Jirga, 2,500 leaders from across the country, said stay with us,” Vollmer said. “Not to fight as the lead, but just to be the backbone. And to be a sort of insurance.”
In recollecting their success, Zernickow thanked his team for their selflessness and sacrifice.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead these soldiers in combat,” he said. “We were constantly delivering results that positively impacted the people of Afghanistan.”
With their eyes clearly set on a return to America and some well-earned rest and recuperation, Zernickow transferred authority to Lt. Col. Kendall Clarke, who commands the Fort Bliss-based 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment.
Clarke, who previously served in northern Afghanistan, said his troops were up the tremendous challenges before them.
“These soldiers were hand-picked to ensure continued success of this mission,” he said. “They are highly motivated, talented and well trained.”
Vollmer reminded the oncoming troops that despite the continuing transformation underway here in Afghanistan, challenges abound.
“The next fighting season looms and we have to give our Afghan partners all the capabilities we can so they are ready for the election in April. The base closures will continue and our retrograde will increase,” he said. “The mission is not finished.”
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.19.2014 12:31 |
| Story ID: | 119358 |
| Location: | CAMP MARMAL, AF |
| Web Views: | 561 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Fort Knox Cavalry unit transfers authority to Fort Bliss infantry battalion, by LTJG Bryan Mitchell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
