CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan - NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan’s multi-national environment provides opportunity for unique experiences, such as the change of command ceremony for German Col. Ralf Kneflowski, outgoing co-commander of NTM-A’s Regional Support Command-North.
Standing in a night formation were military branches from Germany, Croatia, The U.S., Sweden, Finland, Hungary and Great Britain during the change of command ceremony performed pursuant to German tradition.
Recalling experiences from his 191-day deployment, Col. Kneflowski said: “We visited all the [bases and outposts], police stations, headquarters and training facilities; we traveled from Badakhshan in the East to Ghowrmach in the West, from Hairaton in the North to the famous three bridges in the South.”
As the outgoing RSC-N co-commander -- sharing duties with U.S. Army Col. Paul Calbos -- Kneflowski said that they achieved a lot, sometimes not as fast as they wished and Kneflowski also thanked his German support staff and all NATO partners.
Capt. Rudolf Fabri and his 1st Sgt. Robert Heinz, received recognition from NTM-A leadership with Fabri earning the U.S. Army Commendation Medal.
Kneflowski earned the U.S. Meritorious Service Medal during his co-command, which was presented by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan deputy commander for regional support Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness.
Col. Gert-Johannes Hagemann now assumes co-command of Regional Support Command-North tasked with the ongoing development of the Afghan National Army’s 209th Corps and the Afghan National Police’s 303rd Corps.
Kneflowski concluded with: “Finally, I thank all of you…Wherever it was, be it in Ghowarmach, Quaisar, Konduz, Pol-e-Khoumri, Faysabad or somewhere else, in your comradeship we always felt comfortable and safe. Stay healthy and come back home safe and sound at the end of your mission. God bless you.”
Date Taken: |
12.10.2010 |
Date Posted: |
12.10.2010 09:32 |
Story ID: |
61685 |
Location: |
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, AF |
Web Views: |
165 |
Downloads: |
11 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN