Photo By Master Sgt. Christopher Marasky | Navy Cmdr. Michael Yesunas, a resident of Virginia Beach, Va., salutes Navy Cmdr....... read more read more
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of both the outgoing and the incoming Provincial Reconstruction Teams gathered for the change of command ceremony, as Navy Commander Scott Murdock of Lake Stevens, Wash., relinquished command of the PRT to Navy Commander Michael Yesunas, a resident of Virginia Beach, Va., March 13.
U.S. Army Col. Richard Kim, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco and Honolulu native, praised the outgoing PRT.
“I want to take this opportunity to commend the tremendous accomplishment of Commander Murdock, Sgt. Maj. Campbell and Tom West, and their entire inter-service and civilian team for the immense progress they’ve made in the Kunar province,” he said.
“The strength of this PRT was the dedication to the mission, the commitment to the people of Kunar, and the teamwork with Gov. Wahidi and other provincial leaders,” said Kim.
As the final members of the outgoing team prepared to depart, Murdock reflected on his time with the PRT and on the relationships built in Kunar.
“It’s the ability to establish close ties and to understand one another that will bring this struggle to a conclusion,” he said. “It was an extremely difficult tour, it was an interesting tour, a rewarding tour, and I’m better for having been here.”
After thanking a number of people in attendance for the assistance throughout his tour and reflecting on their friendships, Murdock ended his speech with a quote from William Butler Yeats, “Think where a man’s glory begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.”
Even as the previous team prepared to leave, the new PRT lead by Yesunas unfurled their guidon and prepared to take the burden of this mission.
“For the incoming team, I look forward to working with and supporting you, and have no doubt in my mind you will continue to set the conditions for a promising path for the future of Afghanistan in the Kunar province,” said Kim.
As he prepared to step into the role of leading the PRT, Yesunas took the opportunity to address the team.
“I want to thank my team, you’re the best PRT in Afghanistan, and I’m humbled to have the opportunity to command this talented and dedicated inter-service and inter-agency team,” he said.
“I can do nothing more than make one simple promise to the United States, to Afghanistan, to Kim and to PRT Kunar: you have my all,” said Yesunas. “You can count on my commitment to service before self to ensure that PRT Kunar, staffed by the finest Americans, will continue to be a force for good, with, by and through our Afghan brothers and sisters.”
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2012 05:48 |
| Story ID: | 85523 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 531 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, PRT Kunar’s reins change hands, by MSgt Christopher Marasky, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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