Provincial Reconstruction Teams Transfer Authority, continue mission

AFGHANISTAN

11.29.2008

Story by Sgt. Charles Brice 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

By Sgt. Charles Brice
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

JALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – The unveiling of the Laghman, Nuristan, Nangarhar and Konar Provincial Reconstruction Teams' colors symbolized the beginning of a new command over the PRT in the northeastern region of Afghanistan. As each new command picked up where the previous left off, they plan to build upon the foundation laid by their predecessors.

With each transition of the PRTs, there will be significant tasks and challenges presented for the new teams. Such as new construction projects, establishing new relationships with the locals and keeping the standards that have been set forth by the previous teams.

"Thank you for attending today's ceremony," Lt. Col. Steven E. Erickson, new commander of the Laghman PRT, said. "For our new team in place, this begins a nine month journey, a journey for us and our Afghan friends, a journey of mutual respect and collaboration."

The 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armored Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, from Pennsylvania, arrived in theater on Feb. 25, 2008. After a relief in place, which is a training period for the new team that will be replacing Task Force Diamondback, Task Force Pacesetter assumed authority for the area of operation on March 16, 2008.

"During TF Pacesetter rotation in Operation Enduring Freedom, the task force controlled all coalition forces in Laghman province consisted of 10 different maneuver elements and totaling over 500 Soldiers," Lt. Col. David S. Poage, United States Air Force, said. "In total, these forces conducted over 2,000 patrol missions throughout the area of operation."

Now that Pacesetter has successfully completed their mission here in northeastern Afghanistan, Illinois National Guard, now known as TF Bayonet will carry the torch for the next rotation.

"The Soldier, Airman and interagency personnel assembled before you have completed months of intense training to prepare them for their mission," Erickson said.

Like Laghman, the same transitioning is happening in provincial reconstruction teams in other provinces, such as Nuristan who is teaching new techniques for goat cheese production and marketing, Nangarhar is taking on the farming community, improving slaughter facilities and seed cleaning plants. While Konar is teaching the Afghan national police proactive policing in an environment that demands the police react to terrorist activity.

All teams have to take on the task of re-acquiring the connection with the Afghan locals in their area of operation. As new reconstruction projects begin and new relationships are being forged.

All PRTs must continue the fight in order for things to transition smoothly. The Afghan army, police and coalition forces are taking the fight to the enemy every day, Col. John Spiszer commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, said.

"These teams have done and will do a great job," Spiszer said. "I would like to end by charging the PRTs, to continue their great work and make us proud of what they are doing and what they are going to accomplish over the next few years."

• Date Taken: 11.29.2008
• Date Posted: 11.29.2008 02:50
• Story ID: 26925
• Location: AF