New commander for Regional Support Command-Capital

Photo By 2nd Lt. Rebecca Linder | Outgoing commander of the Regional Support Command-Capital, Maj. Robert A. Firman, gives a speech in a change of command ceremony at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, aAug. 28, 2010, to thank fellow co-workers for the support and great effort they have given while under his command.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.28.2010

Story by Capt. Anthony Deiss 

196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – Col. Robert E. Wicks Jr. assumed command of the Regional Support Command-Capital (RSC-C) Aug. 28 from Maj. Robert Firman during a change of command ceremony on Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The mission of the RSC-C is to support the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in the areas of training, fielding, and equipping new units as well as sustaining the fielded force in the Kabul province and capital region. Established just last fall, the unit is growing and has become an O-6 level command.

“My goal as RSC-Capital Commander is to build something strong and lasting in Afghanistan and to optimize our momentum on the progress already made,” Wicks stated speaking to the multinational audience. “As partners, we share a common goal to build capability and ultimately a lasting security”.

Since its inception in 2009, the RSCs around the country has been the main effort in the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Force Command-Afghanistan mission to build and sustain the ANSF. Despite its small geographic area, the capital region has more than 30 percent of all ANSF in the entire country, including more than 80,000 Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police forces.

Col. Wicks comes to the RSC-C command position from 13th Air Force as the director of Space Forces for Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Firman served in the RSC-C command position for the past six months and will return to Ramstein Air Base, Germany to work for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

“The opportunity to work directly with professionals in the Afghan National Security Forces has been very rewarding,” said Firman. “I was also lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the best team in Afghanistan. Being part of the RSC team has been the highlight of my career."

During the ceremony, both Wicks and Firman expressed that RSC-C is committed to working with the ANSF to help create an enduring capacity and capability for the ANA and ANP. While its efforts are focused in and around Kabul, they feel RSC-C’s impact is felt throughout the entire nation of Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2010
• Date Posted: 08.29.2010 00:52
• Story ID: 55329
• Location: KABUL, AF