Photo By Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen | Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Friends and family of the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, gathered at the Division Parade Field Tuesday for a change of command ceremony. “No Slack” bid farewell to Lt. Col. Christopher Hossfeld and welcomed Lt. Col. Edward Sedlock.
“We are proud to showcase the ‘No Slack’ battalion and celebrate this changing of command,” said Col. Robert Campbell, 1st Brigade commander. “The 2nd Battalion, 327th Inf. Rgmt. enjoys a tremendous reputation of combat service from the Battle of the Bulge, Vietnam and our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The battalion was recently deployed in Afghanistan as part of the train, advise, and assist mission in Kandahar province. There, “No Slack” was tasked with the security of a southern Afghanistan base, housing more than 8,400 Soldiers and contractors, as well as the overall security of the train advise and assist mission.
This battalion would deploy more than 730 strong, then morph into a combined joint task force consisting of 250 Ugandans, 400 Romanians, more than 100 Bulgarians and a variety of civilian and sister service organizations, Campbell said.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Campbell said. “The diverse nature of this organization all trained separately then brought together on an Afghan battlefield could have been a recipe for disaster, but it was quite the opposite. Combined Joint Taskforce No Slack formed a team and executed one of the finest security and counterinsurgency efforts I have seen.”
Applying a balance of lethal posture, projection into the battle space and relationship building with an Afghan population and its security forces, this team accomplished its mission and brought its Soldiers home safe, Campbell continued.
“The battalion left behind a better Afghanistan than it found,” he said. “Leading that effort was Lt Col. Chris Hossfeld. Chris is a modern warrior and a tremendous combat leader. He formed this team two years ago, invested in its people, cared for its families, trained it, and led it in combat.”
As Hossfeld said his farewells, he said without question, the Soldiers of the “No Slack” battalion and the impressions that they have left on his heart will be what he remembers most of his time in command here at Fort Campbell.
“I will remember nervously watching them conduct combat air assaults in southern Afghanistan and deliberately making a difference in the security and lives of everyone there,” Hossfeld said. “And most of all, I will remember their quiet professionalism as they performed their duty and set the standards for all our international partners.”
Hossfeld finished by saying it has been his honor and privelge to serve among the Soldiers and that he can only hope he did them justice as their commander.
“I want to thank the Soldiers and their families for their dedication,” Hossfeld said. “These incredible warriors that stand before you not only need my thanks, but the thanks of our entire nation. I am humbled and honored to be standing before you as I conclude my time as ‘No Slack’ 6.”
Hossfeld and his family head to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.
“Chris, I’m proud to have served with you and proud to call you friend,” Campbell said. “I wish you, Tina, and your family the very best.”
With the departure of the Hossfelds, the battalion welcomed the Sedlocks.
“Eddie brings a wealth of experience and leadership to ‘Bastogne’ and we will lean heavily him and ‘No Slack’ in the months to come,” Campbell said. “Eddie, my guidance to you is simple. Give these Soldiers and their families the leadership and caring they expect, demand and deserve.”
Sedlock said his family and he looked forward to getting to know each Soldier in the formation and serving alongside both them and their families.
“To the Soldiers of ‘No Slack’, you look superb,” Sedlock said. “I am honored and proud to command this battalion and lead you. I pledge to give to you my heart, my strength of will, and my loyalty to take us over the top and combat the challenges that lie ahead, whatever they may be. I will uphold the high standards of character and excellence within this great unit, and we will continue to live up to our legacy and confidently answer our nation’s call.”
As Hossfeld signed off one last time as “No Slack” 6, he left Sedlock with one last thought.
“Eddie, you are getting the very best of our Army and Nation,” Hossfeld said. “Enjoy and treasure your time with them, it goes way too fast. For the last time: Air Assault, Screaming Eagles, Bastogne and No Slack!”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2015 13:39 |
| Story ID: | 183278 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 194 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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