KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – French soldiers from Task Force Lafayette, along with Afghan National Security Forces, conducted a transition ceremony on Forward Operating Base Sarobi, April 12.
The ceremony symbolized the official transition of security operations from Task Force Lafayette to the ANSF, said French army Gen. Jean-Pierre Palasset, commander of Task Force Lafayette.
Ambassador Bernard Bajolet, French embassy to Afghanistan, Gov. Ahmadullah Alizai, governor of Kabul, and other key leaders in the province were in attendance for the ceremony.
The ceremony was brief but symbolic as Palasset and Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Emam Nazar, commander of the 3rd brigade, 201st Corps, began with a pass and review of the soldiers and policemen assembled.
The Afghan national anthem filled the air and French soldiers sang loudly as each respective nation’s flag was raised. Then, with a simple salute between leaders, the transition was complete and the key leaders moved into a tent to talk about the significance of the day’s event.
“It is an important day for Sarobi and all of Afghanistan,” Alizai said through an interpreter. “Today, our forces can show they can take care of their own people.”
Alizai also said Afghan forces have received good capabilities to maintain security independently and security had improved in areas that had been transferred to Afghan forces.
Sarobi district was the final district in Kapisa to be officially turned over to ANSF control in the province. Elements from the Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police and 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps, ANA have been leading security operations since the beginning of the year.
Ambassador Bajolet said that he was proud of this moment and what it meant to both the Afghans and the French.
“Hopefully, this is just the beginning of the Afghan [forces] taking over for the security of their country,” he said through an interpreter.
He added that the switch did not mean an end to the French’s mission in Afghanistan.
“Even after the completion of transition, some French military advisers would remain in the country to train Afghan forces,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2012 01:29 |
| Story ID: | 86793 |
| Location: | KAPISA PROVINCE, AF |
| Hometown: | NICE, ALPES-MARITIMES, FR |
| Hometown: | PARIS, PARIS, FR |
| Hometown: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
| Hometown: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | FORT LIBERTY, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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