Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | (Right) Lt. Col. Ted A. Adams, 44, from Polson, Mont., commanding officer for 9th...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – The Marines of 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), conducted a transfer of authority ceremony here May 24, completing their deployment and 'passing the torch' to 9th ESB.
Marines with 9th ESB will carry out general engineer support missions as 7th ESB heads home after their seven-month tour in Afghanistan.
"I think it's clear that Lieutenant Colonel Frietze and the Marines of 7th ESB have done an outstanding job supporting the [Marine Air Ground Task Force]," said Lt. Col. Ted A. Adams, 9th ESB commanding officer, 1st MLG (FWD). "Their deeds, their accomplishments are now a part of Marine Corps history. I congratulate 7th ESB for their accomplishments and I challenge 9th ESB to try and maintain that phase."
According to Lt. Col. Phillip N. Frietze, 7th ESB commanding officer, 1st MLG (FWD), 7th ESB's mission was to provide general engineering support to units throughout Helmand province. Throughout the deployment, Marines built anything that was required to complete a mission.
"We constructed everything from roads to wooden structures," said Frietze, 44, from Mesilla, N.M. "We put bridges across rivers to project forces into Majah during combat operations, such as operation Moshtarak."
"We produced water, millions of gallons of water, as well as provided bulk fuel and power," he added. "Basically the infrastructure life support to sustain patrol bases, combat outposts and forward operating bases."
Witnessing how his Marines performed, Frietze couldn't be more proud of the outcome of the deployment.
"I am very humbled to be your battalion commander," said Frietze, to his Marines during the ceremony. "The performance of these Marines was outstanding. I couldn't be prouder even if they were my own children. They were fantastic, it's an honor and a privilege."
According to Adams, 44, from Polson, Mont., the Marines with 9th ESB are looking forward to working with the Marines of 1st MLG (FWD), ready to tackle the missions awaiting them.
"[7th ESB] did a great job and they established an awesome pace," said Adams. "It is now our time to pick up where 7th ESB left off. We have to always remember that every task we support out here is in support of that MAGTF war fight, and we have the potential to positively impact the lives of the people in Afghanistan. We don't intend to lose that focus."
| Date Taken: | 05.24.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2010 23:57 |
| Story ID: | 50400 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 693 |
| Downloads: | 485 |
This work, 9th ESB Marines look to build on success of 7th ESB in Afghanistan, by Cpl Khoa Pelczar, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
