CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan – One hundred and forty-three tactical convoys. Nine hundred and thirty-five loads. And four forward operating base closures.
Task Force Hannibal concluded a massively successful nine-month tour providing logistics support to Regional Command North Sunday. Task Force Hannibal Commander Lt. Col. James M. Droppleman and his troops were commended for the excellence during the March 2 transfer of authority ceremony.
“It has been a unique and challenging mission, operating far from the flag pole and in a joint and coalition environment,” said 10th Sustainment Brigade Commander Col. Willie Rios III. “Their success is testament to the leadership qualities of this fine command team, and reflects the high quality of these soldiers.”
“They have punched above their weight and have set the bar high for others to succeed.”
Droppleman commended his troops for their sacrifice and diligence.
“Over the past nine months, our soldiers have acquitted themselves honorably,” he said. “Our mission has been a success.”
Droppleman handed over command of all logistics in Regional Command North to Task Force Sword, led by Lt. Col. James L. Turner.
Rios said the soldiers of Task Force Sword are ready for the challenges of a combat tour.
“These are ready and resilient soldiers, truly professionals and masters of their trade,” Rios said.
Task Force Hannibal turns over the logistics responsibilities here during a time of massive transition in Afghanistan. After more than a decade of combat, the coalition forces have yielded to the Afghan National Security Forces in the fight against insurgents.
Droppleman and his team were responsible for moving thousands of tones of coalition material during the closure of four forward operating bases here in Regional Command North.
The closure of FOB Kunduz, where the German military lost its first soldiers in combat since World War II and where the war to unseat the Taliban government began in 2001, was a symbolic of the transformation taking place across Afghanistan.
As the Afghan National Security Forces continue to take the lead in the fight to secure their country, American and coalition forces are either closing smaller bases or transferring them to Afghan control.
That vital logistics work associated with this trend will continue in Regional Command North with Task Force Sword. Turner said his troops are up to the challenge.
“Nothing fails because of logistics,” he said. “We are expert soldiers and master logisticians.”
Task Force Hannibal was also lauded for their work supporting the lift and sustain mission with a handful of coalition members. The troops trained coalition partners from Mongolia and Croatia and provided maintenance support to other partner militaries.
For now, though, the unit has its sight set on home.
“We will soon be sipping Mai Tais on the beach of Waikiki,” he said. “Hawaii here we come.”
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2014 22:12 |
| Story ID: | 121455 |
| Location: | CAMP MARMAL, AF |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Task Force Hannibal concludes tour at Regional Command North, by LTJG Bryan Mitchell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
